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Dentistry

Dentistry in Northumberland since March 2020

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The COVID-19 crisis has affected many areas of the NHS both locally and nationally. One significant issue that people have raised nationally is about access to dental care.

Data from the Department of Health highlights that almost 1,000 dentists working in 2,500 roles across England and Wales left the NHS last year. This is having an adverse effect on members of the public being able to see a local dentist for both regular check-ups and when emergency treatment is needed. Not only has this been frustrating, but many people have been left in pain or discomfort as a result. Some individuals have been offered the option of having private treatment, but this is not affordable for many.

Without improved access to NHS dental care, not only do people risk facing greater dental problems in the future, pressure will increase on overstretched hospitals and GPs. Untreated dental problems can lead to pain, infection and the exacerbation of other health conditions such as heart and lung disease and stroke. This national picture is echoed in Northumberland, and throughout the second half of 2021 we received feedback from the public that accessing NHS dental services was very difficult, whether registering with an NHS dentist or getting treatment.

With the need to now have lull time in the consulting room between patients, due to COVID-safe guidelines, there is no longer the capacity within NHS dental services to meet their targets, let alone deal with the backlog of appointments that didn’t go ahead due to the lockdown.

Following an initial meeting between Healthwatch Northumberland, Healthwatch North Tyneside, Healthwatch Newcastle, Healthwatch Gateshead and Healthwatch South Tees, the opportunity to work collaboratively with local Healthwatch partners across the North East was offered to all local Healthwatch. Collectively we agreed that there is a need for better access, to NHS dental services, but that this needed surveying and reporting both locally and on a regional basis.

Three other local Healthwatch joined the group: Healthwatch Hartlepool, Healthwatch Stockton-on-Tees and Healthwatch Darlington. These eight teams from the North East and North Cumbria Healthwatch Network agreed to undertake a joint project to understand the concerns of their respective local communities.

The aim of the study was to determine whether accessing NHS dental services is being raised by a small number of people having a problem or whether it is a more widespread issue. If it is a widespread issue, then to use our findings to:

  • Influence the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System (NE&NC ICS), local service providers, and NHS England to improve access to NHS dentistry.
  • Inform the national picture through sharing our findings with Healthwatch England who are calling for reform of the NHS dental contract alongside the British Dental Association (BDA).
  • Support improved information for patients regarding NHS dentistry.

Read our findings and recommendations below:

Experiences with dentistry in Northumberland since March 2020

NHS Galleri Trial

NHS trials new cancer test

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Northumberland and South Tyneside have been selected within the North East and North Cumbria to take part in the world’s largest trial of a revolutionary new blood test that can detect more than 50 types of cancer before symptoms appear.

People aged 50 to 77 are being asked to look out over the coming days for a letter from the NHS inviting them to take part in the trial.

Participants must not have had a cancer diagnosis or treatment in the last three years and have no concerning symptoms. They will have a small blood sample taken at mobile clinics that will visit Northumberland at the end of April and throughout May as well as South Tyneside in May. Participants will be invited back after 12 months, and again at two years, to give further blood samples.

The potentially lifesaving Galleri™ test checks for the signs of cancer in the blood and the NHS-Galleri trial, the first of its kind, aims to recruit 140,000 volunteers nationally, including thousands in South Tyneside and Northumberland, to see how well the test works in the NHS. The trial team are inviting people from a wide range of backgrounds and ethnicities to ensure results are relevant for as many different people as possible.

Dr Hassan Tahir, primary care lead on the GRAIL project for the Northern Cancer Alliance, said most people were now aware of the benefits of finding cancer earlier when it is easier to treat.

“By taking part in this trial, people in South Tyneside and Northumberland will be at the forefront of developing a test that has the potential to save lives from cancer in England and around the world,” he said.

“Registering for the trial is easy – just look out for the letter which will show you how to book an appointment online or over the phone. If you receive a letter do please consider being part of the trial. The test is a simple blood test that has the potential for identifying cancers at an early stage, this includes head and neck, bowel, lung, pancreatic, and throat cancers.”

Dr Robin Hudson, medical director at NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), added: “At Northumberland CCG, we are very excited about this ground-breaking study into early cancer detection. We would encourage everyone who is eligible to take part as we believe it could make a huge difference to our population by preventing lives being cut short by this awful disease.”

The Northern Cancer Alliance is helping to ensure participants who test positive in this region get the necessary follow-up appointments.

The NHS-Galleri trial is being run by The Cancer Research UK and King’s College London Cancer Prevention Trials Unit in partnership with NHS England and healthcare company, GRAIL, which has developed the Galleri test. All participants will be advised to continue with their standard NHS screening appointments and still to contact their GP if they notice any new or unusual symptoms.

Sir Harpal Kumar, President of GRAIL Europe, said: “We’re delighted to partner with the NHS to support the NHS Long Term Plan for earlier cancer diagnosis, and we are eager to bring our technology to people in the UK as quickly as we can. The Galleri test can not only detect a wide range of cancer types but also predict where the cancer is in the body.”

Patients whose condition is diagnosed at ‘stage one’ typically have between five and 10 times the chance of surviving compared with those found at ‘stage four’.

Initial results of the study are expected by 2023 and, if successful, NHS England plans to extend the rollout to a further one million people in 2024 and 2025. The trial is the latest initiative launched by the NHS to meet its Long-Term Plan commitment of finding three-quarters of cancers at an early stage by 2028.

Read more about the Galleri trial

Have you used cancer services in the last 12 months?

Tell us about your experiences of and views on services so that those who provide them know what they are doing well, and what could be improved. Your feedback can help make services better for everyone.

Share your experiences

Dementia activities

Free online event – Alzheimer’s Society

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Join us on Friday 8 April for this free, online public event to hear from Helen Mayne who will provide a brief overview of Alzheimer’s Disease and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Dementia is a progressive neurological condition and the UK’s biggest killer. Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity who campaign for change, fund research to find a cure and support people living with dementia.

Helen Mayne, Alzheimer’s Society’s local services manager, will join us to give an overview of what dementia is, how it can affect people and what support Alzheimer’s Society can provide for people in Northumberland who are living with the condition.

This will include an outline of their recent expansion to services and what it means for people who receive a diagnosis.

There will also be a chance to ask questions.

Register now at the link below and we will send you a link to join closer to the event.

bit.ly/Online-Event-Alzheimers-Society

Zoom

Parkinson’s UK free online event

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At our next free online public event on Friday 11 March 2022, from 1pm, we will hear from Vivienne Rogerson from Parkinson’s UK.

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition. Parkinson’s UK is the national charity, working locally, to provide support for those living with the condition and their family and friends. It is also a campaigning and research organisation.

Area Development Manager, Vivienne Rogerson, will give a brief overview of what Parkinson’s Disease is, what it means for people living with the condition, how Parkinson’s UK supports those with the condition, influences health and social care services and works towards a cure.

The event is suitable for people who live or work in Northumberland and are interested in finding out more about this disease and what support there is locally.

Register now and we will send you a link to join closer to the event: bit.ly/ParkinsonsUK_event

Blyth Women's Centre

Spotlight on…Anxious Minds

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As part of our information and signposting service, we’re shining a spotlight on organisations offering all kinds of support to people in Northumberland.

Anxious Minds is a charity which provides mental health support to people across the North East. Services on offer include support for children and adults, support for veterans and their families, women-only support, addiction support, help into employment or training, outdoor therapy and suicide prevention.

Their Blyth Women’s Centre (The Liberty Centre) is there to support local women and girls and empower them to achieve their full potential. The Centre provides a wide range of services to help women to overcome the challenges they are facing. This could be domestic abuse, the need to develop new skills, lack of self-esteem or self-confidence and isolation.

There are free support groups on offer for anxiety, grief and loss, drop-in friendship groups, SMART Recovery (for addiction) and arts & crafts.

Watch this short video about Blyth Women’s Centre.

To find out more email: blythwomen@anxiousminds.co.uk or call: 01670 946 188.

More information about all Anxious Minds services can be found at their website.

Because We All Care

‘Because We All Care’ – tell us what you think about services

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Healthwatch England has launched #BecauseWeAllCare with the Care Quality Commission to help improve care by encouraging everyone to share their experiences of health and social care services.

Public feedback helps spot what is working well and what could be better. With services working to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and deal with a backlog of care, people’s views have never been more important.

New research from the Care Quality Commission highlights the impact lockdown measures have had on the wellbeing of people who use care services:

  • Nearly three-quarters of carers (73%) say that the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions have impacted on the mental health of the person they care for.
  • Over half (56%) of carers say that the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions have impacted on the dignity and independence of the person they care for.

The research also found that throughout the pandemic, care was most commonly impacted by:

  • Increased waiting times for appointments and procedures (49%)
  • A lack of resources and equipment (24%)

With just 17% of people in England expecting services to improve in the next 12 months, we are calling for you to feedback on the services you use as a crucial way to improve their quality.

Sir Robert Francis QC, Chair of Healthwatch England, said:

“Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, public feedback has played an important part in helping the NHS and social care services spot and respond to issues caused by the virus.

“As we continue to live with the pandemic, the NHS continues to face huge pressures across the whole system. NHS staff are grappling with many difficulties, including increased COVID demands, while trying to tackle the backlog in elective care and diagnostics that the pandemic had made so much worse.

“It is important that this is managed as well as possible, to make sure that the risks and distress to patients are minimised. That’s why it is vital people have the opportunity to share their views and experiences of care whether they have needed treatment for COVID-19 or other illnesses. Their feedback will help services understand both key national and local issues and the steps they can take to serve patients better.”

So, if you’ve recently used a GP, dentist, hospital or other care service, let us know your experience and help improve care for everyone.

Share your story

Care home visiting

Care home forum

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We are holding another public online forum via Zoom for anyone who would like to share their recent experiences of visiting loved ones in care homes.

The forum will take place on Monday 7 February, from 10am to 11.30am.

At our previous forums we have heard how visiting restrictions in care homes have affected people living there and their relatives, people’s experiences of other ways of keeping in touch during Covid-19 and discussed things ‘we wish we had known’ when our loved ones moved into care homes to help us produce some future guidance to support others going through similar experiences.

Those who attended the previous forums said that it helped to give them a voice and it was helpful to meet with other people in a similar situation. It was agreed that the group would continue to meet once every three months to discuss any issues or concerns. The minutes from the last meeting can be found below.

Minutes from care home forum – 8 November 2021

We would like to hear from you about your recent experiences of visiting your loved ones in care homes in Northumberland, how you have kept in touch during any Covid-19 outbreaks and your experiences of visiting as an ‘essential care giver’.

We would also like to explore further ideas to shape our guidance to support others whose loved ones may be moving or have recently moved to a care home.

If you would like to register for our forum please contact Helen Brown by email: helenb@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk or call us on 03332 408468 (option 3). Once registered, we will send you the Zoom link before the event.

If you can’t make the forum but would like to tell us your story, or would rather speak to one of our team in confidence please get in touch.

Dentistry

Dentistry myth busting

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Healthwatch teams across the North East have seen a significant increase in concerns around patients getting to see their local dentist. This is also a big problem across the rest of the country.

These concerns have been made worse by some common myths and misunderstandings around how dentist practices work. Here, we take a look at some of those myths.

1. ‘Registering’ at a practice

‘I saw my dentist a few years ago and now they say they can’t see me on the NHS. Aren’t I registered?’

Dental practices are set up within the NHS in a completely different way to GP practices so there is no formal patient registration within dentistry.

A patient is only ‘registered’ with a practice while undergoing treatment. So, you are free to approach any NHS dentist for treatment at any time.

2. They only want to work with private patients

‘My dentist said they could not see me on the NHS but offered me a private consultation.’

There is no formal patient registration within dentistry – NHS dental practices are commissioned to deliver a number of Units of Dental Activity (UDA) which they spread out over the year.

The number of UDAs used per day will depend on the treatment needs of the patients who contact the practice, for example, simple treatments like fillings and extractions equate to 3 UDAs, more complex treatment like crowns and bridges: 12 UDAs.

Whilst NHS provision must be available across the practice’s contracted opening hours, demand for NHS treatment may be so great that on any given day, depending on demand and the treatment needs of the patients who contact them, they could have used up all their NHS appointments when a patient rings.

They may, therefore, offer a private option to patients as an alternative, as they will have separate NHS and private appointment books, with separate clinical staff time allocated accordingly.

In line with national guidance all dental practices are required to prioritise patients based on clinical need and urgency into their available NHS appointments – this is called Triage. It is therefore important when you contact the practice that you fully explain the nature of your dental problem so that a clinical assessment can be undertaken to determine how quickly you need to be seen.

3. They are not doing routine work such as check-ups or scale and polish on the NHS

‘It’s impossible to get a routine check-up despite the fact I’ve not had one for over a year.’

All practices are currently working to national standard operating procedures which means that they have to prioritise patients based on clinical need and urgency. Therefore, their ability to take on patients for routine treatment such as check-ups is likely to be limited with the reduced capacity they are able to deliver, because of infection prevention control guidance.

However, if you have healthy teeth and gums, a routine check-up may not be needed for up to two years between appointments.

4. They are not doing emergency appointments.

‘I broke my tooth, but my dentist wouldn’t take me as an emergency appointment to fix it.’

Lost fillings, crowns or bridges, broken teeth or braces are not usually deemed to be clinically urgent, which means you may need to wait a little longer for an appointment.

Access to NHS urgent dental appointments is based on an individual clinical assessment of need. It is therefore important that you fully explain the nature of your dental problem to the practice or NHS 111 when you call, so they can correctly triage you.

 

Download the Dentistry Myth Busters PDF

If you have any further concerns about a dental service in your area, please visit the dental section of the NHS website where you can find further advice and an official complaints procedure.

NHS Dental Services

NHS dentistry services

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We know that some people have struggled to access the dental care they need during the pandemic. We want to hear about your experiences of trying to use NHS dentistry services since March 2020. Tell us what worked well for you and what could be better so we can help providers improve their services.

Due to strict infection control measures in place in dental practices, fewer appointments have been available causing a backlog of patients. We have been hearing that some people are unable to find an NHS dental practice which is taking on new patients while others aren’t sure where to go for urgent dental care.

We would like to hear about your experiences of accessing NHS dentistry since the start of the first lockdown.

The survey will run from Monday 29 November 2021 until Friday 7 January 2022. We will then combine our findings with colleagues at other local Healthwatch to build a regional picture of NHS dentistry services in the North East.

NHS Dentistry Survey

More information about finding an NHS dentist and what to do if you need urgent dental care is available on the NHS website:

How to find an NHS dentist

Get in touch with our Information and Signposting Service

 

This survey is now closed.

Arthritis Action

Arthritis Action online event

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If you live or work in Northumberland, join us at a free, online public event to hear from Ruth Smith of Arthritis Action.

Ruth will be joining us to talk about arthritis, self-management, and resources for people living with the condition. She will cover topics including keeping active, pain management and diet.

The event is suitable for people who live or work in Northumberland and are living with or working with any form of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis and gout. The presentation may also be useful for those with other conditions causing joint pain such as fibromyalgia.

There will also be a chance to ask questions.

Register now and we will send you a link to join closer to the event.

Events

SeaFit health drop-in event in Amble

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We’re joining the Fishermen’s Mission‘s health drop-in event in Amble on Wednesday 29 March, 1pm-3pm. SeaFit events bring together organisations providing health information and health screening for fishermen and the wider community.

Call by and pick up some information, leave feedback about using health and social care services and grab yourself some of our giveaway items.

Also there on the day will be a GP, health and wellbeing coaches, First Contact physiotherapy, a mental health practitioner, pharmacy technician, and information about prostate cancer.

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Here to Hear drop-in – Prudhoe Spetchells Centre

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Here to Hear:
Our free and confidential drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service to find out more about local services and support. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at the Spetchells Centre, Prudhoe, NE42 5AA on the third Thursday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

Here to Hear sessions

Monthly drop-ins

Here to Hear Drop-in – Blyth Community Hub

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Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions, in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-ins are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at Blyth Community Hub, Unit 6, Keel Row Shopping Centre, Blyth on the third Wednesday of the month, 10am – 12pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Monthly drop-ins

Here to Hear Drop-in – Berwick Sports and Leisure Centre

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Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions, in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at Berwick Sports and Leisure Centre, TD15 2AS on the second Wednesday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Epilepsy Action event header

Online event – Epilepsy Action

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Join us to hear from Simon Privett, Volunteer Coordinator for Epilepsy Action who will talk to us about what epilepsy is, how it can present, tips to help manage it and how we can help others living with epilepsy.

We will also hear what support is available from the charity and there will be a chance to ask questions.

Register now and we will send you a link to join closer to the event: bit.ly/Epilepsy-Action-Feb-23

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Monthly drop-in – Prudhoe Spetchells Centre

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Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at the Spetchells Centre, Prudhoe, NE42 5AA on the third Thursday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Monthly drop-ins

Monthly Drop-in – Blyth Community Hub

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Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions, in all five local council areas of the county. These new drop-ins are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at Blyth Community Hub, Unit 6, Keel Row Shopping Centre, Blyth on the third Wednesday of the month, 10am – 12pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Here to Hear speech bubbles

Monthly Drop-in – East Bedlington Community Centre

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Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at East Bedlington Community Centre, 16-17 Station Road, Bedlington NE22 7JN on the first Friday of the month, 10.00am – 12.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

Here to Hear speech bubbles

Monthly Drop-in – East Bedlington Community Centre

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Due to staff illness we have cancelled today’s Here to Hear drop-in event. Sorry for any inconvenience. The next drop-in at East Bedlington Community Centre is Friday 3 March or you can get in touch at any time.

Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at East Bedlington Community Centre, 16-17 Station Road, Bedlington NE22 7JN on the first Friday of the month, 10.00am – 12.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

You can also tell us your thoughts and experiences of NHS and care services over the last 12 months in our short survey – get a free pen or stress ball in return for leaving feedback. Or tell us online

Here to Hear speech bubbles

Monthly drop-in – Prudhoe Spetchells Centre

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Each month we’ll be holding drop-in sessions in all five local council areas of the county. These drop-in sessions are a chance for residents to tell us about their experiences of NHS and social care services and use our Signposting and Information Service. Just call in or if you’d prefer to make a specific appointment for one of the sessions, please get in touch.

Come and see us at the Spetchells Centre, Prudhoe, NE42 5AA on the third Thursday of the month, 11.00am – 1.00pm.

See details of other drop-in sessions

You can also tell us your thoughts and experiences of NHS and care services over the last 12 months in our short survey – get a free pen or stress ball in return for leaving feedback. Or tell us online