Ashford looks to allay fears
The Health Minister says a decision to terminate their contract with the current provider of NHS dental care is NOT a first move towards privatising the service.
David Ashford was speaking after it was announced that the DHSC had ended their contract with Ravat and Ray with effect from the end of March.
It follows a dispute over contractual issues.
The department is now seeking to appoint a new dental provider to take over from the 1st of April and patients registered with Ravat and Ray Dental Care will be automatically transferred to the new practice.
This may be located in the current premises at the Old Noble’s Hospital site, or elsewhere in the Douglas area.
Minister Ashford says the decision to seek a new provider was the result of careful consideration and he has thanked Ravat and Ray for the service provided by them since 2015.
He says every effort will be made to ensure the transition to the new service is as smooth as possible and has moved to allay fears expressed by some patients by stating that all patients will be allocated to the new NHS provider.
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