The government has recently announced plans to provide an additional 700,000 urgent dental appointments nationwide, with 21,520 of these allocated to Norfolk and Waveney. While James welcomes this commitment to increasing the availability of emergency appointments, he stresses that it is essential these promises are delivered.
Improving access to dentistry has been a key focus of James’s work since he was first elected, recognising the significant challenges many constituents face in accessing dental care. James has stressed that Ministers must ensure that the funding allocated to dentistry is fully utilised to increase appointment capacity, rather than allowing underspends to occur as seen in previous years.
James has also been advocating for a dental school at the University of East Anglia (UEA) to address long-term dental care needs. While the proposal has received positive comments, he emphasises the need for formal approval.
James remains committed to securing efficient use of funding and improving dental access in North West Norfolk.
Speaking on this announcement James said:
“While I welcome this commitment to more emergency appointments, ministers must ensure these promises are actually delivered. That means all the funding provided for dentistry is actually spent providing more appointments - not having underspends by the NHS as in previous years.
Longer term we need more training locally, so the ministers comments that a new dental school at the UEA is a “no brainer” is welcome, again this needs to be approved. I will continue to push for funding to be used efficiently to address our local needs and improve access in North West Norfolk."
