A DISPUTE has arisen over the provision of NHS dental services at Barry Hospital following the retirement of the dentist based on the Colcot Road site.

Plaid Vale and town councillors Ian Johnson and Steffan Wiliam claim more than 3000 patients have been informed that they must make alternative arrangements, with details provided for other dentists in Barry, but the Cardiff and Vale Health Board has expressed its intention to retain the service.

A Cardiff and Vale Health Board, spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that the dentist who provided dental services at Barry Hospital has retired. We are in the process of informing patients affected and will be undertaking a tender process to fully replace the NHS dental contract in the affected area.”

But Plaid Cymru has condemned the failure of ministers to safeguard health services.

Cllr Johnson said: “We fear that this is a part of a pattern of reducing health services across the Vale to save money. At the same time they tell us all is well in their hands. The truth is that the health service in Wales is being mismanaged by Labour.

“It appears that a member of staff is retiring and the health board is not replacing him. I fear that inadequate alternative NHS dental services are available. The public need to know about this situation.”

Cllr Johnson, who represents the Buttrills ward, said he was calling for a review of the impact of the loss of this service and has also called for more transparency and honesty on the topic.

He said: “They must state how many have found alternative NHS dental services? Plaid believes that this is a cost saving trick by Labour and we want to know how much the loss of service will save the health board.”

Cllr Steffan Wiliam, who represents the Baruc ward, added: “With the devastating report that the Welsh Health Service is failing in so many areas, this is yet another example of this decline which will have a terrible impact on the health of people in Barry.”