Green Party research has shown that no dentist is taking on new NHS patients in Reading.
Green campaigner Kate Nikulina is petitioning Reading Council to lobby the Integrated Care Board, government and come up with a plan to address this issue.
The petition can be signed here: https://bit.ly/dentistpetition
The shortage of NHS dentists is being made worse by the recent announcement that Castle Hill dentists will no longer be serving its existing NHS patients from September 1. This means that all of the existing Castle Hill NHS patients will need to find a new dentist.
Green campaigner Kate Nikulina is campaigning on this issue.
She said: “Reading is a dental desert. Too many Reading residents can’t get an NHS dentist.
“People are left in pain or if they are lucky enough to be able to afford it with having to pay a large private dental bill in a cost of living crisis. Children and others entitled to free dental care aren’t able to get it.
“This Conservative government has been asleep at the wheel over NHS dentistry and as well as taking local action Reading Council should lobbying the government on this issue.
“Please sign the Green Party petition for Reading Council to lobby the Integrated Care Board, government and come up with a plan to tackle the dental desert that Reading has become.”
Greens are the second largest party in Reading
Fortunately, there’s now real, constructive opposition on Reading Council. Following the local elections in May the Green Party has consolidated its position as the second largest party on Labour-run Reading Council.
There are seven Green Party councillors and we are now two councillors ahead of the Conservatives. There is a growing team of hard-working Green councillors standing up for residents across the town.
If you’re keen on being part of the change in Reading, get involved and help us make Reading fairer, greener and cleaner: reading.greenparty.org.uk/get-involved
By Green Party councillor Rob White, leader of the main opposition group on Reading Borough Council
