Dental patients warned over protests

Apr 17 2006 By James Cartledge, Birmingham Mail

PATIENTS facing reduced dental treatment on the National Health Service have been threatened with the police if they protest too strongly.

Customers at Great Barr-based Michael Reece and Associates were also told they would be barred if they took out their frustrations over the shake-up on staff.

The warning was made as the practice revealed patients could be forced to wait up to two years for a routine check because its budget was being cut by £1.2 million over three years.

In a letter, practice owner Dr Michael Reece told customers: "Please try to remember we are only the messengers, attempting to deliver a system from the Government we are not happy with either.

"Please resist the temptation to take out your frustrations on our staff. Rude, verbally abusive or threatening patients will not be tolerated, will not be seen as NHS or private patients and will necessitate the involvement of the police."

Patients opting to remain under the NHS rather than go private are facing a "no frills" service, meaning less availability and flexibility in appointment times and an end to the sending of appointment reminder letters.

Practice manager Sara Reece said police had been called to the Walsall Road premises to deal with angry patients in the past. But she said most patients were shocked by how the centre had been treated by the NHS.

"They seem to have grasped the fact that it's not the practice which is imposing these costs," she said. "Patients are either saying they cannot afford to go private or are asking about private treatment."

Dr Reece's letter added: "Patients will be assessed according to new Government guidelines and the results will determine when you are eligible for your next NHS check-up. This may be after six months but could be as long as two years."

The Birmingham Mail revealed last month how at least seven practices in Sutton Coldfield and southern areas of the city had written to patients insisting they went private.

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