Moray SNP News

MORAY MSP WELCOMES ‘NOTABLE IMPROVEMENT’ IN ACCESS TO NHS DENTAL SERVICES LOCALLY

NHS Grampian has updated Moray MSP Richard Lochhead on NHS dental services locally, confirming there has been a ‘notable improvement’ in access within the region, with five practices now registering NHS patients.

Mr Lochhead has been in regular contact with NHS Grampian about dental services in Moray following challenges that emerged post-pandemic, which saw some practices de-register patients and practices closed their lists to new patients.

NHS Grampian has now confirmed the number of dentists in Moray is recovering from a low of 37 in 2022/23 to 43 practitioners as of August 2024. The health board’s response to Mr Lochhead states there are now five practices across Moray – in Elgin, Forres, Keith and Buckie – registering new NHS patients.

Welcoming this progress, Moray’s SNP MSP said:

“In the initial aftermath of the pandemic it was challenging for people to access NHS dental services in Moray and many will remember there were even practices that had to remove patients from their list.

“This most recent update I’ve received from NHS Grampian outlines real improvements in access to NHS dental services in Moray and paints a much more positive picture, which I hope means constituents are managing to access the services they need.

“For five practices – right across Moray – to be taking on new NHS patients is a big turnaround from where we were a couple of years ago and is no doubt thanks to the increase in dentists practising in the area.

“I was also pleased to hear from NHS Grampian that recent dental reforms introduced by the Scottish Government will help to ensure NHS dental services are more sustainable going forward.

“If anyone has struggled to register with a dentist in Moray, I’d encourage them to check NHS Grampian’s dental website for more information on the practices accepting patients and the options available to them.”