Rowen checks up on dentists!

Rochdale's Lib Dem MP - Paul Rowen has responded to complaints from a large number of people about the Town's Dentists and launched a survey of Dentists in Rochdale.

"The main problem seems to be people finding an NHS Dentist" said Paul Rowen. "Once people actually find one - the subsequent cost is hugely problematic. It makes sense to talk to the dentists and find out what they think is the root cause of this problem. Figures from the local Primary Care Trust showed that Rochdale has 38 registered dentists but actually needs 65."

Paul Rowen MP expects a big response and will use the figures from his survey to help formulate the Liberal Democrat national policy at the forthcoming Liberal Democrat Conference in Blackpool next month. Paul has already tackled the Minister for the Department of Health - Rosie Winterton MP, in the House of Commons at the end of June.

Paul said, "I will keep on at the Government until they keep their promises - in 1997 they promised that anyone who wanted an NHS Dentist would get one until a Labour Government, that has clearly not happened, not here in Rochdale or anywhere. There is a crisis facing NHS dentistry in Rochdale. In many areas of my Constituency, finding an NHS dentist is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. I will continue to fight till the Government keeps their promise.

Paul has already received been receiving completed surveys back - already our dentists are using words like disillusioned and pressurised. Paul concluded, "I made a promise during the General Election that I would lobby the Government to improve access to NHS Dentists in Rochdale and that this is another stage of that promise.