Bute residents 'travelling more than 60 miles' to access NHS dentists, says MSP

A Bute councillor has said she is aware of residents needing to travel from the island to the mainland to access dental services after an MSP claimed that some were going to Paisley.

Paul Sweeney MSP made the claim in the Scottish Parliament last month as he quizzed public health minister Jenni Minto MSP on dental capacity.

According to public transport timetables, the journey between Rothesay and Paisley takes almost two hours in each direction. According to Google Maps’ journey planner, it is over 30 miles each way.

Councillor Reeni Kennedy-Boyle (SNP, Isle of Bute) said that her island was “perhaps better served than most” and said that a limited population may be the reason for it having one dental practice with NHS provision.

She also welcomed the additional funding in dentistry in the draft Scottish budget, which Ms Minto highlighted in her response to Mr Sweeney.

Speaking at Holyrood on January 21, Mr Sweeney said: “We have seen residents of Bute having to travel by ferry to Paisley to access NHS dentists due to a lack of capacity on that island, and we have seen dental practices in Oban being unable to take on new patients due to staff shortages caused by a lack of housing.

“This is a holistic issue – it is about housing, transport and healthcare – and it is leading to a situation in which many people are unable to see an NHS dentist.

“Does the government agree that the lack of capacity is a systemic issue? Can salaried posts be created in such places? Will the minister engage with the Royal Colleges to offer a licensed dental surgery course for international practitioners to convert in Scotland?”

Ms Minto responded: “Paul Sweeney mentioned my constituency in his question, and I recognise the issues. As someone who cares for all of Scotland and who wants to ensure that everyone in Scotland gets good access to dental services, I am really focused on them.

“Through a number of areas in the draft Scottish budget, we have increased the dental spend to more than £500m.

“It would be helpful if the member’s party would support that budget, to ensure that we can make that investment.

“We are also increasing the number of dental students in Scotland by seven per cent this year, to ensure that we have that throughput and pipeline of dentists.

“As I indicated in my response to Alasdair Allan (SNP, Western Isles), there are certain things that the Scottish Government relies on the UK Government to change.

“Therefore, you could perhaps use your influence with your colleagues at Westminster to improve visa access for dental therapists coming to Scotland and the exams that international dentists have to sit to allow them to practice in Scotland.”

Councillor Kennedy-Boyle said: “Mr Sweeney has not been in touch with me as a local elected member nor am I aware that he has visited Bute or conducted any consultation on Bute into this matter.

“There is no ferry to Paisley from Bute; however, I am aware that many people access a range of routine health care services on the mainland, including dental services.

“Like many island communities, access to health services often requires off-island travelling, and on-island provision may be limited to a single provider.

“Bute is perhaps better served than most with Victoria Hospital providing a range of services and clinics, along with Bute Practice GP services, and supported by local pharmacy services.

“There is one dental practice situated in Rothesay which includes NHS provision. Of course, it would be good if there were an additional practice to enable on-island choice and increased NHS capacity; however, our limited population may be the main reason that prevents this.

“I welcome the Scottish Government’s increased investment in dental services.”