NHS Orkney dental travel scheme ends

February 13, 2015 at 2:14 pm

From March 31, patients from the isles attending routine dental appointments in Kirkwall and Stromness will no longer be able to claim travel expenses.

According to NHS Orkney, funding for the scheme is no longer available and, in line with other rural areas, the health board has had to withdraw its financial support.

There will be certain exceptions if a patient is receiving dental treatment under the continuing Hospital Travel Scheme. These treatments are provided by NHS Orkney Public Dental Service as part of their secondary dental care services:

Oral surgery treatments not part of primary care services.
Treatment under general anaesthetic or sedation carried out in the hospital.
Consultant appointments (oral surgery, orthodontics and restorative) with the visiting consultants.
Treatment directed by the consultants which would normally be undertaken in hospital outside Orkney – for example appointments associated with jaw or face surgery.

Patients requiring emergency treatment and experiencing extreme hardship, said NHS Orkney, may be able to apply to Orkney Islands Council for an emergency one-off payment, but this option will not be available for planned care.