A petition which is calling for a new dentists in Coventry has been signed by over 1,400 people, although the NHS believe that there is no need for one.
Patients are campaigning for the Cheylesmore doctor’s Surgery, which moved into Quinton Road last year, to be reopened as a dentists.
The 1,441 signatures collected for the petition were collected by GP Dr Manjit Jaspal and have been handed to Coventry’s city council cabinet member for health Council Joe Clifford.
The petition asks for the council to support the opening of a Cheylesmore Dental Surgery. Last year funding was applied for from NHS Coventry.
The application for funding was denied on the there being “no identified need for additional dental provision in the Cheylesmore area”.
Peter Barnett, the council’s health development service manager, has written a report stating: “There is currently an NHS dentist within walking distance of the proposed new surgery and they have been confirmed as currently accepting new NHS patients.
“Additionally over recent years they have under-performed against the contract for services they have with NHS Coventry (ie they have additional capacity to carry out treatment with local patients under their NHS contract).”
Despite the rejection, doctors at the practice are still keen to house a dentist’s surgery within the building.
Coun Kevin Foster (Con, Cheylesmore) has backed the petition: “The main feeling is the new health facility, which the doctors have worked hard to create, is missing that last vital ingredient – an NHS dentist.”