Lincolnshire hospital chiefs apologise for 'significant staff shortages' causing orthodontist appointment shortage

Bosses say this staff shortage has led to some patients struggling to book orthodontist appointments within the United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS trust – which covers hospitals in Boston, Lincoln and Grantham.

Officials said they’ve recruited additional staff to address the ‘significant pressures’ within the service.

Chief medical officer at Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group, Professor Ciro Rinaldi, said: “We have recently experienced significant staffing shortages within the orthodontic service in Lincolnshire, which has resulted in minimal appointment availability for a period of time.

“We would like to offer our sincere apologies to patients affected by this, and recognise that it may have caused concern.

“We have been working with NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and partners to create additional orthodontic capacity and recruit into the service, so that care continues to be delivered safely and appropriately.

“We have recently been successful in recruiting additional staff and are now able to book more appointments, prioritising those with the most clinical need.

“We would like to sincerely thank patients and families for their patience, understanding, and continued support.”

A spokesperson for NHS Lincolnshire ICB, explained that the additional staff will enable more appointments to be offered to patients.

The spokesperson added: “We recognise the concern and disruption that delays to orthodontic appointments can cause for patients and their families.

“NHS Lincolnshire ICB has been working closely with United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (ULTH) and other partners to support the provision of orthodontic services in Lincolnshire following significant staffing pressures within the trust’s service.

“This work has focused on creating additional orthodontic capacity and supporting recruitment into the service, so that patients can continue to receive safe and appropriate care.

“We welcome the recent recruitment of additional staff, which means more appointments can now be made available, with patients prioritised according to clinical need.

“We will continue to work with the trust and our partners to support the service and ensure patients receive appropriate care.”