Why is dentistry to be offered in a car park?
PA MediaPeople who want to visit a dentist, after a hospital practice was shut, could end up doing it in the back of a lorry in a car park.
The Isle of Man's healthcare provider has applied to put a mobile dental unit in the car park of Ramsey Cottage Hospital for 18 months.
Manx Care said it would enable NHS dentistry to be reinstated in the north of the island, after Smile Dental Practice was moved while the hospital continues to be refurbished following a pest control issue and then completely suspended last month.
Plans are in place to bring many of the services back to the northern town ahead of the TT races, but no date has been given for the return of dentistry.
Why were services moved away from Ramsey?
A "pest control issue" in part of the Ramsey Hospital's roof led to its minor injuries unit being temporarily closed in December, and several other services, including dentistry, were relocated to the island's main hospital, Noble's.
Further refurbishment and improvement work at the site saw the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU), radiology and bone density scanning services, physiotherapy and NHS dentistry moved to the capital.
Why were dentist appointments stopped?
The Smile Dental Practice services were initially moved to Hillside Dental Practice in Douglas, operating on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
They were then relocated again to the Central Community Health Centre in Douglas, within the Community Dental Service.
But in April, the practice said the alternative location was "unsuitable" and a delay to their return until at least September meant it "could not guarantee safe, reliable patient care or continue to operate to the required clinical and professional standards".
IOM GOVERNMENTWhen will other services return?
Initially due to return to Ramsey by April, "ongoing essential building works" saw a revised timeline issued.
Under the latest timeframe the MIU and radiology services will be run from a modular unit in Ramsey from mid-May along with the return of blood clinic and some outpatient services to the site.
Work is also continuing to reopen Martin Ward to inpatients as part of plans to ease pressure on Noble's Hospital bed spaces.
No date has yet been outlined for the return of dental services.
What are the current plans?
Manx Care wants to install a temporary mobile dental unit in the car park of the hospital, connected to the existing water and electricity supply.
The project would see a non-permanent dental unit mounted on an HGV trailer placed in the area, which would expand to form the facility.
The work would also see groundworks to install a permeable surface to prevent flooding in the area and create safe access.
Why is the project needed?
Manx Care said it would address the "unforeseen closure" of the Ramsey hospital for "extensive refurbishment".
"There are currently no alternative dental facilities in the north of the Island able to meet this additional demand," it added.
It has not yet been confirmed who would operate those services.
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