MP Robert Jackson is celebrating a victory over NHS dentistry in his Oxfordshire constituency - without lifting a finger, writes Bill Jacobs.

The former Tory Minister was deeply alarmed when he discovered that the last National Health Service practice in Grove and Wantage had closed.

He received a letter expressing concern at the news from Stephen Henderson, chairman of the Oxfordshire local dental committee.

Mr Henderson, who practises as a dentist in the Parade, Windmill Road, Oxford, had written to the Wantage MP to demand action. He told him: "One of the dental practices in Grove closed suddenly last month as a result of the ill health of the dentist. "Unfortunately, the consequences for the population for whom he cared are significant because they are almost certainly unable to obtain access to NHS dental services in Grove or Wantage.

"Oxfordshire health authority has tried to arrange for these patients to have access to emergency NHS care at two practices nearby.

"This was to be funded by a Section 56 grant of approximately £5,000.

"With the co-operation of these practices (which has been secured) patients could have been confident in the knowledge that they need not suffer. "The authority is trying to arrange for an NHS salaried dentist in Wantage to provide continuing and emergency care, but this necessarily takes time.

"Unfortunately the Department of Health has refused to allow the grant to be made.

"Please would you lobby the Secretary of State on behalf of your constituent and the local dental committee because this is an absurdly small grant to be refused in such tragic circumstances.

"I'm afraid that it rather exposes the Prime Minister's promises about access to NHS dentistry. "The implications for your constituents are that to have access to NHS emergency dental care they will have to travel to Didcot, Oxford or Reading. Many will find this unacceptable or impossible."

Mr Jackson was geared up to tackle Health Secretary Alan Milburn, but when he rang the appropriate official he discovered that the matter had been dealt with.

Mr Henderson had copied his letter to the local health authority who had forwarded it to Whitehall and the prospect of an MP becoming involved was enough to persuade the Health Department to find the cash. Mr Jackson said: "I'm delighted that this has been sorted out, even before I became involved.

"It appears that the mere prospect of an MP taking up a case can be enough to have a problem solved immediately."

Story date: Friday 17 December

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