No cash for NHS work at dentist's

FUNDING has been blocked for a new village dental practice to offer treatment on the NHS.

Residents in Cambourne were delighted when Dr Alexandra Cornell decided to set up a practice in Monkfield House, Monkfield Lane.

But she has now discovered she will not receive funding from the National Health Service to offer her patients subsidised treatment.

Dr Cornell said she was disappointed with the decision, adding: "People are going to have to continue to travel a fair distance to get treatment.

"The PCTs are running out of money at the moment, so, to be honest, I'm not that surprised."

The practice will open for treatment on a private basis at the end of the month.

A PCT spokeswoman said the trust's intention was to establish an NHS dental service in Cambourne.

She added: "We have supported Ms Cornell in submitting a bid for funding to the Department of Health.

"Unfortunately, on this occasion, the bid was not successful, mainly because bids cannot be submitted until a dentist has identified they wish to provide services.

"By the time Ms Cornell's bid was submitted, much of the national money had been allocated. We will know by April next year whether we have any specific money for dentistry that is uncommitted and can be reinvested in local services."

As reported in the Cambridge Evening News