"Only a question of time" before new dental school is built at UEA, says MP
The University of East Anglia has previously said it'll continue to "press the Government" on this issue
One of Norfolk's MPs is telling us she thinks it's "only a question of time" before a new dental school at the University of East Anglia (UEA) is given the green light by the Government.
Last year, the university said it'd continue to "press the Government to create new undergraduate dental places" locally, whilst continuing to build a formal bid that will be put to the Department of Health.
The latest NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, aims to expand dental undergraduate training places initially by 24% to 1,000 places by 2028 to 2029, with the number of training places then to be increased by 40% from current levels to over 1,100 places by 2031 to 2032.
"My hope is that the Government will look very favourably on this"
Alice Macdonald represents Norwich North:
"If you grow up or live here, you're going to have to go to London or Birmingham to pursue a career in dentistry.
"A dental school would make a real difference to Norfolk and the wider region. I've met many people who've gone to UEA and they've stayed on here, so something like this increases the likelihood of having trained dentists saying here.
"I think as part of the plans there will also be a few dental chairs that open up immediately, so that people can access treatment there as well.
"We've had a few opportunities to raise this with the minister responsible for this, Stephen Kinnock, he's been very receptive to our case.
"There's a bit of a complicated process that this all needs to go through, but my hope is that the Government will look very favourably on this, given that our region is the only one in England without a dental school in it."
What's the Labour Government said on this?
The Department of Health and Social Care has been contacted for comment.