UDC Hubs Announcement
Dear Members
We have received the following communication for your information:
From: SOUTHEASTDENTAL (NHS ENGLAND & NHS IMPROVEMENT – X24)
Sent: 04 April 2022 16:21
Subject: UDC Hubs
Dear Colleagues,
Please be advised that in expectation that dental services will return to 100% from 1st April 2022, NHSE/I South East have decided to cease the provision of Urgent Dental Care hubs with effect from 31 March 2022.
We have expressed our gratitude to those practices that volunteered to become Urgent Dental Care Hubs over the last two years. We are sure you agree their support to the local dental system throughout this challenging time has been much appreciated.
Please note that this means that referrals should no longer be made to UDC hubs on DERS (Rego) after 31 March 2022. Referrals to UDC hubs should only have been made where practices were unable to open for face to face care due to Covid-19 as a result of the initial lock-down or subsequent staff absences. The need for this has greatly reduced as the pandemic has evolved and we remind practices that in line with the SOP, all practices should be accepting patients with an urgent need or high clinical priority. In line with previous national advice, practices should regularly review their business continuity plans and as part of this ensure they have cover arrangement (eg a buddy practice) for instances where they are unable to provide face to face care, whether this is related to Covid-19 or other reason.
Kind regards,
The Dental Team
NHS England and NHS Improvement – South East Region