A DENTAL practice in Brampton providing NHS dental care to people within the town will close in September - after the practice was 'unable to find a buyer' to continue services.

Bupa Dental Care has confirmed that its practice in Market Place, Brampton, will shut on September 20, blaming a 'national shortage of dentists available to deliver NHS care' in letters sent out to patients.

It had said previously that it was looking to sell the practice.

In a letter to patients, seen by the Cumberland News, Bupa Dental Care said: "We wrote to you in April 2023 to let you that sadly, due to the national shortage of dentists available to deliver NHS care, we were planning to sell Bupa Dental Care, Brampton.

"Unfortunately since then, we have been unsuccessful in finding a buyer to take on the NHS contract and continue providing NHS dental services in Brampton.

"Continuing NHS dental services in Brampton was a condition of sale so that the local community could maintain access to these important services.

"As a result, we're sorry to let you know that we will be closing the practice on September 20, 2024."

NHS dental patients have few options in north Cumbria. In June last year, Lismore Dental Practice in Carlisle terminated its NHS contract. This was followed by one of the freelance dentists at Mydentist on Victoria Place in the city also making the 'difficult' decision to stop providing NHS dentistry.

Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Carlisle, Julie Minns, is calling for urgent action. She said: “It’s becoming more and more difficult for people to access NHS dental care. That’s completely unacceptable."

The candidate has also said she is seeking clarification from North East and North Cumbria NHS on how it proposes to replace the lost capacity.

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Bupa said it aims to complete all NHS treatments by August 31.

In a statement circulated to affected patients, North East and North Cumbria NHS says that it appreciates the closure will “be of concern”.

It adds: “Please be assured that it is our intention to replace the lost capacity as quickly as possible, and discussions are taking place on the best approach to achieve this.

"This may include asking NHS dental providers within the surrounding area if they are able to take on additional activity.”

Brampton’s other dentist, Chandlers Lane Dental Practice, does treat existing NHS patients but is currently not accepting new patients.

Brian Wernham, Liberal Democrat candidate for the Carlisle constituency, said: "In this general election the Liberal Democrats are calling for fundamental reform, including changes to the Units of Dental Activity (UDA) payment system from the NHS to each dental practice.

"If the UDA scheme is not totally overhauled, then the dental crisis will continue."

Earlier this year, the Conservative government proposed a £200million 'dental recovery plan' which would see £20,000 bonuses for dentists working in under-served communities and dentists being paid more for NHS work.

A spokesman for Bupa Dental Care said: “Unfortunately, despite our continued efforts, we’ve been unsuccessful in finding a buyer willing to take on the NHS contract and continue providing NHS dental services in Brampton.

"Continuing NHS dental services was a core condition of sale so that the local community could maintain access to these important services. As a result, we have taken the difficult decision to close this practice.”