A politician in Derry, Northern Ireland, has spoken out about the dental crisis in the country after a pensioner tried to remove his own teeth because he could not afford private care. The 78-year-old man, who did not want to be named, had been suffering with toothache for three months and told the Derry Journal ‘I can’t afford the private health care costs of £1000. I’m in so much pain that I took pliers to my mouth on Saturday. I couldn’t budge the teeth though.’
The pensioner claims that treatment only became available to him after he asked the Journal to highlight his situation. He told the publication ‘The [Western Health] Trust contacted me in order to offer me a consultation appointment on Friday. I won’t get any treatment then. This just happened to be on the same day I went to the press. The Trust informed me on Friday that it would be December before I would get a consultation.’
Foyle SDLP Assembly Member Colum Eastwood has personally raised the OAP’s case with the Health Minister, Edwin Poots. SDLP MLA, Eastwood said ‘On learning of this issue I immediately contacted the Western Trust. I was informed that the Trust is struggling to deliver dental services and the current demand is outstripping capacity.’ Referring to the pensioner’s case specifically, he said ‘I understand that the Trust has now agreed to deliver his treatment via the private sector. He has endured quite a lot and I’m glad that this harrowing experience is finally coming to an end.’