£3.7m NHS funding to expand dental appointments in Hampshire

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 15:34 · Archive

Hampshire is to receive £3.7 million to create more NHS dental appointments in areas including Basingstoke, Winchester and Andover.

Hampshire is to receive £3.7 million in NHS funding to create additional dental appointments across Basingstoke and Deane, Winchester, Andover and East Hampshire. The investment was outlined to councillors at Hampshire County Council on 13 October. Olivia Crispin, senior commissioning manager for dentistry at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said the procurement process was still under way but had attracted encouraging interest from providers.

Despite the announcement, some councillors raised concerns that residents continue to struggle to access NHS dentists. Test Valley councillor Sandra Gidley told the committee that whilst children in southern Test Valley can access NHS dentistry, adults face difficulties. She said residents unable to find routine appointments could end up seeking help elsewhere in the health system.

In response, James Roach, primary care director at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, said councillors would be given a breakdown of dental services available in their areas and information on how residents could access them. He said the outcome of the procurement process would be shared once completed. According to the report presented to the committee, NHS dental contracts treated 21,945 more patients in 2025/26 than in the previous year, with ten of Hampshire's eleven districts seeing an increase in the number of people treated.

How it is being reported

• £3.7m earmarked for new NHS dental services in HampshireFunding has been earmarked for additional dental services across HampshireThe News, Portsmouth · 15 Oct, 14:54
• £3.7m NHS funding could create more dental appointments across HampshireMore NHS dental appointments could be created in parts of Hampshire under a £3.7 million investment programme, councillors have been told.Southern Daily Echo · 15 Oct, 13:14

In this story: Hampshire · Basingstoke and Deane · Winchester · Andover · East Hampshire · NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight · Test Valley · Hampshire County Council

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