“Data the key to solving Dentistry crisis”- Welsh Lib Dems

This week in the Senedd, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have urged the Welsh Government to adopt a centralised national health data system to help obtain a clearer picture of the state of dentistry care in Wales.

According to the Health and Social Care Committee last February, only a handful of health boards have developed their own list system. Such as Cardiff and Vale who had 15,500 patients waiting an average time of 26 months as of October 2022.

The same committee reported that there is an issue with patients registering on multiple practice waiting lists, leading to duplicate entries, and wasted time contacting patients already seen elsewhere.

The Welsh Government had previously promised to deliver a centralised system by the end of the 2023 financial year, however this deadline has now passed with no further updates being made available.

Commenting, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Jane Dodds MS said:

“The Welsh Government promised a national centralised system by the end of the financial year, this deadline has now passed and it’s beginning to look like yet another empty promise delivered to the Welsh Public by Labour.

It is clear to see that, without sufficient data, both the First Minister and his cabinet have no real grasp of the issues affecting dental care here in Wales.

We cannot afford to have a scenario where some healthcare boards do have a suitable list system whilst others do not, this simple will not work.

We urgently need a national centralised data system that will help paint a clearer picture of what is needed to help reduce inequalities in dental care here in Wales.

It should be obvious that by using data we can help solve the crisis in dental care, so why are the Welsh Government so afraid of using it?

The people of Wales cannot afford to struggle because of the indecisiveness of so few.”