Orthodontist provision set to improve in Lancashire: everything we know
Some major changes to specialist dental care in Lancashire could be on the way.
NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board’s associate director for primary care Donna Roberts presented the proposed transformation of secondary care orthodontics at Cumberland Council’s health overview and scrutiny committee on Thursday.
Ms Roberts said the service was used by a total of 1400 patients a year but that secondary care orthodontics had been identified as being ‘fragile’, both nationally and locally, because of a number of reasons including vacancies within the workforce.
She said that, typically, patients faced an 18 week wait for treatment and the board currently has a total of 3.8 full time equivalent (FTE) substantive consultants across its eight hospitals including
So what are secondary orthodontics?
According to the presentation referral to secondary care orthodontics is usually for:
- Severe malocclusion: Cases with significant jaw discrepancies or complex tooth misalignments;
- Surgical orthodontics (orthognathic surgery): When the bite problem requires jaw repositioning surgery;
- Multidisciplinary cases: When orthodontic treatment needs to be coordinated with other dental specialties – such as restorative dentistry, oral surgery – or medical specialties;
- Complex restorative problems: Cases involving missing teeth, developmental anomalies, or other issues that require a team approach;
- Patients with medical, developmental or social problems: Where additional support is needed;
- Complex cases not suitable for management in a specialist dental practice or where a second opinion is required.
What changes are proposed?
It is proposed that there would be two main hubs, in east and central Lancashire, as well as two satellite spoke locations, at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and Furness General Hospital in Barrow, which would operate one day a week.
Ms Roberts said that the impact for patients because of the proposed changes would include improved service provision with regular access to a consultant.
She also confirmed that “public transport will be looked at” when asked about patients who may have to travel long distances to appointments but that she did not know if a hospital car service was being considered by the group.”
How would the new model work?
The proposed model is split into three main areas:
Pathway and operational:
- Standardisation of the way services are delivered to maximise capacity across the system such as clinic templates, referral processes;
- Creation of an advice and guidance service for primary care – so they can speak to consultants before making a referral to make sure it is necessary andappropriate. This should reduce delays in referrals being accepted.
New commissioning model:
- Instead of commissioning (paying) all four hospital Trusts for services it would pay just one trust to provide all services in multiple locations;
- East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) would be the lead provider of secondary care orthodontics;
- All consultants would work for ELHT but in multiple hospital settings;
- This will strengthen professional infrastructure and create a single accountability for for providing services.
New location plan:
- This will provide more clinics at fewer sites allowing staff capacity to be maximised;
- Two main (hub) locations: One in East Lancashire (operating out of both Burnley General Hospital and Royal Blackburn Hospital);
- One in Central Lancashire (operating out of Chorley and South Ribble Hospital);
- Two satellite (spoke) locations offering clinics one day a week at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and at Furness General Hospital.