WHITEHAVEN, Cumbria — Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister is urging the NHS to establish an urgent dental access centre (UDAC) in West Cumbria to address the growing crisis in NHS dental care in the region.
MacAlister said local patients are often unable to access treatment until their dental issues become emergencies. Even then, many face long delays before being seen.
To ease the pressure, the government has funded an additional 1,500 urgent NHS dental appointments this year across north and west Cumbria, including at Queen Street in Whitehaven. However, MacAlister said this temporary relief has not resolved the wider issue.
He is now working with NHS officials to push for a dedicated urgent dental access centre in West Cumbria. Such centres have already been introduced in other areas, including Carlisle, where they have helped cut waiting times significantly.
“I’ve spoken to colleagues with UDACs in their constituencies, and they’ve seen a real difference,” MacAlister said. “Patients are no longer left waiting in pain for days or even weeks. A centre here could treat dozens each day and thousands every year.”
While discussions with the regional Integrated Care Board (ICB) are ongoing, MacAlister expressed optimism about progress.
“I’m in a constructive dialogue with the ICB, and I hope they’ll make a decision soon,” he said.
However, he stressed that a UDAC would be a short-term solution. “The long-term fix must involve reforming the NHS dental contract and increasing the number of dentists accepting NHS patients,” he added. “The government is already working on these changes, and I’ll keep pushing to make sure West Cumbria is not left behind.”
West Cumbria currently lacks a UDAC, despite growing demand and documented access issues, which have left many residents without routine or urgent dental care.
