SNP HAVE NO NEW PLANS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO NHS DENTISTS IN FIFE

5.27.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 13th Sep 2007

The absence of any plans by the SNP Government to improve access to NHS dentists for the people of Fife has been revealed in answer to a parliamentary question from Iain Smith, the MSP for North East Fife.

During Question Time today, Mr Smith asked the Health Minister, Shona Robison, what plans the Scottish Government has to improve access to NHS dental services in Fife. When Ms Robison failed to detail any plans, Mr Smith said:

"In its Manifesto the SNP said that Scotland has one of the worst records in Europe for Dental Health.

"The First Minister in his statement on the Governments principles and priorities last week expressed concern that 1 in 3 children living in severe poverty do not have access to an NHS dentist. Yet the programme is silent on dentists.

"Is the Minister aware of the shortage of NHS dentists in Fife?

"Is she aware that many of my constituents in North East Fife want access to an NHS dentist but can't get one?

"In a debate in this Parliament on dentists in 2005, the then Shona Robinson said 'The Executive will be judged on whether everyone who wants access to an NHS dentist will get access to an NHS dentist within a reasonable timeframe'

"Can I ask the Minister what she thinks a reasonable timescale to get access to an NHS dentist is?

"And can she explain why the word dentist doesn't even appear in the Government's priorities for Scotland?"

Speaking later, Mr Smith said:

"I am disappointed that the SNP Minister had nothing to offer the many residents of North East Fife who cannot get an NHS dentist or any plans at all for dentistry in Scotland."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1 Biography: Iain Smith has been the MSP for North East Fife since 1999, an area where he was born and raised. Before becoming an MSP, Iain was a Councillor and Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Fife Council. He now lives in Ladybank in the constituency. Iain is Scottish Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, a member of the Scottish Parliament's European and External Affairs Committee and a Member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Body. He is also Convenor of the Scottish Liberal Democrat Group in the Scottish Parliament.

www.iainsmith.org

www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/membersPages/iain_smith/index.htm