nff discussions ...the independent voice of royal naval and royal marines families

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In an emergency, outside normal office hours, please ring the JCCC on +44 (0) 1452 519951

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Are you new to an area and finding it difficult to register with a dentist or GP?

Have you lost access to an NHS dentist because you have moved with the Service?

Have you a health issue that may be affected by being a family member of a person serving in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines?

Please use this message board to discuss the issue and support others with any information that might be of help.

I've been lucky regarding a dentist ... I checked out the NHS Website and asked them to find me a dentist and, they did!

I go to a dentist in Cosham, Portsmouth and I'm an NHS patient. My son and I have both registered and, today, we had our first check up since moving.

Thanks for that feedback Sarah. For those people on the Portsmouth side this is good news.

We moved to Portsmouth last May and I am still finding it hard to find a dentist that will take on myself and my three children. Does anyone have any ideas? I've phoned NHS Direct who did give me a list of dentists but no-one seems to be taking on new patients at the moment.

Hello Tracey. I am sure that I have heard of two dentists in Portsmouth taking on NHS patients. I will investigate tomorrow when I am in the office. have you tried asking at the HIVE in Hilsea? Be in touch tomorrow.

Dear Tracey
get on the phone first thing in the morning and call one of the following

Mr R A Roxar
56 High Street, Cosham, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 3AG Tel: 023 9237 9695
 
Farlington Dental Practice
464 Havant Road, Farlington, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 1AB Tel: 023 9237 7957

They have opened their books for NHS patients (inc children). I don't know where you are in Portsmouth regarding travelling etc though.
If you can't get on their books and this applies to anyone with problems etc then call either
 
Poswillo Dental Service
Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 3LY
Tel: 023 9228 6000

or
 
Fareham NHS Dental Access Centre
Sharland House, 29-30 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7AD Tel: 01329 233502

This Dental Access Centre provides
NHS treatment to patients not currently registered with a dentist .
A full range of NHS treatments but DO NOT register new patients
Treatment at standard NHS charges
Information on other local NHS dental services
The centre is aimed at non-NHS registered patients who require access to routine and/or emergency NHS dental treatment. Treatment is by appointment only.
Hope that this helps
Vicky

Vicky - you hero!! As I was typing so were you - what are you doing on your computer at this time of the evening?

Checking emails as you do!!!!

Thanks Vicky, I have tried them but with no luck. I've just phoned the dentist I phoned in March and was told they're only just seeing the people who got in touch in January. Oh well only a few more months to wait!

I have a son who is 18 months old and i have beentrying to get him into a Dentist for the last few months with know joy. The reason for this is because both my self and my wife are serving members of the Royal Navy and one of the parents have to join a Dental practice as well as my son which we can'd do.

Hi Christopher. Many thanks for your comments. This is a new one for me so if you will bear with me I will do some digging. I am not in office for the next two days as I am attending the DHE meeting at Rowner and a trustees meeting for Annington Trust, so i will contact you when I have some news.

Hi Christopher, As promised I have been doing a bit of digging (with the expert help of Vicky at Fareham HIVE). There is a dentist taking on NHS patients in Southsea - 54 Palmerston Road, Tel 02392 824839. They should take your son on, although there is a 2 month wait. The information has come from a reputable source who explained that when a dentist takes on children they are charged a 'capitation fee', they hope to recoup this money from the parent who pays for treatment (NHS or private). In your case there is no means of recovering that charge, however that should not prevent your son from being taken on at this practise. Any problems just let me know. Any success it would also be useful to know.

Hi. I live in the Titchfield MQ. I have been here for 6 months and am unable to get a dentist at all! I am on a waiting list for a dentist in Cosham (west street) as I went there for an emergency appointment a few months ago, however they have not offered me a place yet.

Hi Kate
Although I appreciate it's not a consolation, this is a problem that both static forces families and civilian families are currently facing in the Hampshire area. It's exacerbated by the 15 month regulations regarding dental appointments (basically if a patient hasn't attended an appt for 15 months then they get removed from their NHS dental lists.) If you have children 0-18 yrs then
George Papoutsis 205b West Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 0EN Tel: 01329 232380 (Just on the left after the fire station opposite Aldi) are accepting children, so you may find a loop hole in that way. But I will email on the NFF site as and when practices open their boks. Just as an additional bit of information there is Fareham Dental access centre in the High street Fareham This Dental Access Centre provides NHS treatment to patients not currently registered with a dentist and a full range of NHS treatments but DO NOT register new patients
Treatment at standard NHS charges They also provide information on other local NHS dental services.
The centre is aimed at non-NHS registered patients who require access to routine and/or emergency NHS dental treatment. Treatment is by appointment only.
Sharland House, 29-30 High Street, Fareham, PO16 7AD
Tel: 01329 233502....might be a bit closer than Cosham for denta emergencies.
I do hope that this helps
Vicky
Fareham HIVE Information Officer

Hi Vicky, thanks for that information I will make a note of it. It was the dental access centre Fareham that I used, not Cosham sorry, and Mr Papoutsis saw me then in his practise where I put myself on the waiting list. Unfortunately as I do not have children I can't use the loop hole but I will keep checking on here. Thanks again.

Does anyone know of any NHS in plymouth as i cant afford to go private and I lost my place when I had to move to gosport and I really need to see a dentist.

My email is jcpslow@aol.com

Thank you Catrina x x

Catrina, Jackie has emailed you at home. If you havent received it could you let us know. Thanks Kim

Hello have just posted this on the worng message board!! So will try again... I am a naval wife who lives in Norwich with RAF Coltishall about 5 miles away. My query is can the RAF offer any help if I am unwell. I was recently hospitalised and had horrendous problems getting dh home to look after our 2 young children. NPFS wanted to know why family couldn't look after them indefinitely? When I asked if any help could be offered so dh didn't have to be home too long they simply said no, you don't live in a base port. I thought we had gone tri-service. I have a chronic condition which can mean being hospitalised unexpectedly and although usually well would like to know in case of a next time...

Hi I am a Naval Steward working at Chequers but living at Raf halton. I am married and have been looking at moving my family and I do know that there should be a SSAFA office based at the Raf camp now this stands for Soldiers, sailors and Air Man and they should be able to help if not then your Husbands DO will be the one if there is sill no joy he will have to request to see his EO who should then help.



< replied-to message removed by QT >

Hi Heather

I am so sorry to hear that you have been unwell. I would like to address two issues as I see it.

Firstly the response you received from NPFS. I would like to explore that further. If you could send me some more detail - by email to admin@nff.org.uk then I will look into it ( using your personal details or not - up to you).

Secondly, Chris' advice is very good, SSAFA may be able to provide some support for you. Thanks for that Chris.(Great job!)

Did you contact the HIVE at Coltishall? They may have knowledge of a local ? RAF group who may be in a position to help.

In short, Heather, should you find yourself in this position again please pick up the phone and talk to me. I would like to see if there is any way in which I can help.

Kind regards
Kim

Sorry I replied to Heather on wrong board (Find a Friend)
Chris is right, I have put SSAFA details on Find a Friend.

Heather, upon opening your case file NPFS should send you a brochure called 3C's which stands for Complaints, Comments, Compliments. Fill it in and send it back as a complaint. All complaints on receipt go to the particular NPFS Area Officer who will investigate and respond.

Ricardo
Sailors & Families Advice Bureau (N)
01436 678029

Dear All

With regards to a message previously posted regarding dental issues in Fareham,on further investigation it is with regret that I have to inform you that the Wessex dental centre are NOT accepting NHS patients.
We apologise for any inconvenience or confusion caused.
Vicky
Fareham HIVE Information Officer

Speaking of Dentists.

Has anyone had any dealings with "Forces Family Dental Plan" who currently advertise leaflets available from your local HIVE. They have website at www.ident.co.uk and tel. number 01463 222999. No mention of cost!

Ricardo
N.B. No longer SAFAB, now
NPFS & RM Welfare Advice Service
01436 678029

Hi Ricardo

The Ident plan for Forces families is a pilot scheme currently only being ran in Scotland. I found this scheme a while back although not available for us "down south" it's basically pays for examinations, routine x-rays, etc but not treatment.The costs aren't on the site as you have to have a dental check 3 weeks prior to the policy being set up, to determine what "category and band" you come into regarding oral health....Regarding treatment, this is covered by means of an insurance policy as an add on to the dental plan.I'm still waiting to find out the exact bands/costs as I requested them a while back now.Once I find out, I shall let you know.
Hope that this helps a bit and anyone else too!

Vicky
Fareham HIVE Information officer

Thanks Vicky

It sounds expensive to me, probably cheaper to be with HSA or similar.
It is ironic because I don't think we have the same problem registering with dentists in Scotland as you do down south (I may be wrong)

Ricardo
NPFS & RM Welfare Advice Service
01436 678029

There are 2 new dental practices opening up in the Fareham and Gosport area - open to people from outside this area also.

One is based in Whiteley and the other location is not known currently, to prevent desperate patients queuing up outside, but possibly in Gosport.

HOTLINE open this week 023 8033 8336 open Monday to Thursday 10am to 4.45 (Fridays 4.15pm).

Happy birthday RNCOMHELPDESK

I was reading the message board this morning and noticed that you were advertising that a Martin Lovell an ex naval dentist was taking on dependants of serving members of the navy. I called this number and this is not the case so I am told. Please could you let me know if this information was put on as an error. Thanking you

Hi Julia

The information was posted in all good faith but it was subsequently found that he wasn't in fact taking on NHS patients - which you will see from the subsequent messages posted on the same day. However, the message from the rncomhelpdesk posted on 22 June could still be relevant and might be worth a call if you are looking for a dentist. Let us know if they are still taking on new patients and we'll advertise it! Good luck. Jackie

Hello everyone

I just wanted to let you know that we will be undertaking work on the website over the summer and as a consequence the message boards will be suspended.

Should you wish to contact us all other options are still available - email admin@nff.org.uk
            telephone 023 9265 4374
            fax 023 9265 3862
            contact form - follow link from home page

We will also be adopting reduced hours over August, should you require help in an emergency then please follow the link from the home page.

I would like to wish those of you who have families around you a long and restful summer. And for those of you with loved ones away from home - I wish you a short, busy, fully occupied summer.

Kind regards
Kim and the NFF team

Hello there everybody.

I do hope you had a good summer. We continue to work on the website with the expertise, advice and guidance of our webmaster, David Rogerson.

Please log on and continue to talk to us. Let us know how things are with you and what you feel strongly about.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards
Kim

I live in Hilsea and my husband is in the navy so is obviously covered for dental care, my 5 year old son is in desperate need of some dental work, but i have not been able to get him or myself into a dentist at all. I phoned nhs direct and they sent me a list of all dentists who are taking on, but the closest one is in Eastleigh and neither myself or my husband are able to drive, have the navy got any plans to allow families to be seen by their dental staff?

Hi Karen

I am sorry you are having problems accessing a dentist. This is a difficult one as the problem is not forces specific, it is a national problem - made more difficult for forces families as they have the added complication of moving.

This subject is still high on the agenda for all three families federations, and all options are being explored. At the moment, there is no plan for the Navy to start seeing families. Can you email or ring me this morning, as I would like to see if there is any way we can help to get you out to Eastleigh. Not ideal, I know, but if we can help you get your son seen that may be a start. Email is admin@nff.org.uk, tel 02392 654374.

Kim

Hi
Just moved to Rosyth from Helensburgh and have discovered a real shortage of dentists accepting NHS patients. Has any one else had this problem? I had to call NHS Direct for some info. Does Naval families get any sort of presidence? Can anyone help?

Cheers
Caz

Hi Caz - Good to hear from you and welcome to the board. Did you manage to get a Dentist sorted out in the end? Yes, we are keeping tabs on what is going on with Dentistry - if you have had or are still having problems it might be worth approaching the HIVE (faslane@hivegb.co.uk / 01436 678029) to see if they have any suggestions about what is happening locally. Would be good to have an update on where you are with getting a Dentist and whether you have been successful or not though, if you can keep us posted. The problem we have is that it is a nationwide problem but we are certainly not ignoring it. Jackie

Hello there everyone.

I just wanted to let you know that due to popular demand we have introduced a new message board - recipes! Log onto the website and go to the message board drop down menu to find it. We have two posts for homemade lemonade and a Chilled Chocolate Crumb Cake so far. Mmmmmmmmmm!

Bella - I am waiting for the Maltese cheesecake recipe. Where are you???

Kim

Hi everyone - just to say that if you log on to our Home Page, you will see a new item under Breaking News linking you to the 2006 questionnaire - Families' Continuous Attitude Survey. If you are interested in taking part in the Families' CAS then now is your chance to have your say! You can complete the form on-line or print it off, fill in by hand and post it off. If you do decide to take part, the date has been extended for the electronic version - you will have until the end of August to submit it. Why not have a go? Jackie

To all subscribers. Heres something fun and educational for the kids to do and it might win them a new bike! www.hedgehogs.gov.uk

If your unsure about the new child restraint regulations please read the article in the NEW Homeport on page 23 and enter to win a booster seat too!

Other wise please see attched links to websites with updated details:

www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/campaigns/childcarseats

www.childcarseats.org.uk

Do you have someone special serving onboard
HMS Echo? HMS Dumbarton Castle?
HMS Edinburgh? HMS Endurance?
HMS Gloucester? HMS Lancaster?
HMS Ocean? HMS Scott?

If yes then Please come along and record your film/radio personal Christmas Message for your loved one, to be broadcast over the Christmas period

Recording will take place at the PHOENIX COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE, SALERNO ROAD, HILSEA -on Tuesday 12th December 2006 between 1500 & 2000hrs

Maureen: 02392 696122 LYNDA: 02392 524511

Bear with us just testing the system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you relocating to Plymouth and need an NHS dentist?
Do you live in Plymouth but do not have an NHS dentist?

You can now make arrangements to place your name on the PCT database for a regular NHS dentist by writing to:
PLYMOUTH PCT, FREEPOST NAT 22278, PLYMOUTH PL6 5ZQ

For any further information please contact the Plymouth HIVE on Tel: 01752 484373 or email us on plymouth@hivegb.co.uk

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hi
can any one reccomend an nhs dentist in gosport who are taking people as i cant seem to find one!!
 Thanks sam

Sam17, you could try the HIVE on 02392 542565 or the rncom helpdesk on 08456 075555 who may be able to help.

Also find a Newsletter for Gosport at http://www.rncom.mod.uk/uploadedFiles/RN/F...VES/Spring_2007.pdf

Take it easy..............
.

Thanks Ricardo, your info was very helpfull
sfgos

Please Help, has anybody got an electronic copy of the following:

Fmed 24 - personal statement.
NSMBOS form3

if so would you email them to me please.
if not does anybody know where i could get them from as my medical centre are less then helpful.

cheers
Marie

Marie-Louise

You may find that the Dental Centre could help getting an F Med 24 for you

Important Information:

Can you please note that we will be closing down the message boards over the Christmas period for some maintenance. If you have a query that needs an answer during the Christmas holidays, you can still email us on admin@nff.org.uk and we will pick up and respond, but for anything more urgent please follow the emergency information guidelines on the Home Page. Please bear with us and we will have them up and running again in the New Year. Happy Christmas to you all. Jackie

test

Having major problems finding a NHS Dentist in the Havant/Emsworth area - Help!

Hi Lisa

Have you tried the NHS website? There is also a telephone number to phone if required?

http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/servicesearch.aspx

I am just checking, as this is the advice the Department of Health give us. If, however the response is that there isnt one then I will feed that information back into the Ministry of Defence as it is very high priority at the moment. let me know what you have done already and I will take it from there.



Kim

Kim

After phoning about 20 dentists I've managed to find one in Southsea (we are in Emsworth) so it's a bit of a trek etc, that's accepting children only, but not for me.

Any help with this would be much appreciated!

Lisa

Hi Lisa - Have just spoken to someone in Service Personnel Policy in MOD and their advice is for you to contact your Primary Care Trust and explain that you are having difficulty in finding an NHS dentist, and ask them where you can get dental treatment as it is their duty to provide NHS dental care. This is a link to their contacts page - http://www.hampshirepct.nhs.uk/index/aboutus/contactus.htm.

Alternatively call NHS Direct and explain the situation to them.

He also asked if your husband would report this through his Chain of Command in order for them to log it, as each Service is supposed to be linking in with the PCT in order to make sure that they cater for the Service families and they need evidence if this isn't working, and also tell them whether the PCTs solution is satisfactory in order to help them gather evidence.

Hope that all helps you Lisa, but do please keep us posted. Jackie

Hello again Lisa - not sure if you're already aware, but there was a small article in the Portsmouth News a couple of days ago where mention was made of a new NHS dental practice for up to 10,000 patients, starting up in Waterlooville on 11 Feb. In order to apply you have to call the Dental Helpline in the usual way on 0845 0508345 between 8.30 and 4.30 Mon-Fri. They're keeping the exact whereabouts a secret for fear of being swamped with queues! Might be worth trying this out too? Do still register your problem with your husband's DO though, in order that this is logged as evidence for SPCP. Jackie

The NFF is excited to announce that at close of play today we will be uploading our new website to this address.

The process will take up to 24 hours; please bear with us during the transition period as you may experience difficulties accessing the website and message boards.

Thank you for your patience and we hope you enjoy the new website!

Hello, just to let you know that there is a comment on our breaking news section from the Minister of the Armed Forces, on the response to the Royal Anglian parade through Luton on Wednesday, which may be of interest to you.

Hello everyone,

We are trying to gather some information on access to dentistry and would very much appreciate it if you could take a minute to answer the poll on the homepage of our website.

Thank you!

Article for ‘The Guardian’ - Can you help –

There is to be an article in the family section of ‘The Guardian’ on what it is like to be brought up in a forces family. The article talks to family members from all three services but still needs to understand the experiences of children growing up in a naval family.

They are particularly interested in speaking to boys, aged between 10-12 years, as they do not yet have enough information from this category.
The sorts of questions that will be asked are: In what ways do you keep in contact with the serving person while they are away? Are you close to other forces families? Do you go to a regular school or a forces school and what is it like?

The conversational interview will be done over the phone with parental consent. If you would like to take part please contact Jo Mears on: 013 0650 1830.