I am delighted to have secured further action from Minister Caulfield this week about the backlog of patients waiting to be seen by NHS dentists in Helmsley and Thirsk. She has agreed to chase NHS commissioners in both areas about the delays in appointments and treatments that constituents are facing. As constituents know I have been pressing ministers for many months now both privately and in Parliament and this is another positive step.
The Department is aware of the challenges within the constituency with regards to Covid and the risk that this poses to both staff and patients, so they will take this into account when reviewing the targets that have been set for NHS practices across England. I look forward to hearing more news from the Minister that I will be able to share.