Horsham orthodontists face closure in NHS shakeup

Health officials say that a new service run by a company called NEO Orthodontics will be launched in Horsham in April.

An NHS England South East spokesperson said:“Some of the contracts to provide orthodontic services in Kent, Surrey and Sussex are coming to an end in March 2019. As a result NHS England has carried out a procurement process to award new contracts.

“The new contracts, which start in April 2019, will provide improved services for patients for example, practices will now have to provide 30 per cent of appointments outside of school hours which may include after-school, at weekends and during school holidays.

“Patients will receive a letter from the relevant orthodontic practice in March with further information about the practice and how to make appointments. Arrangements are being made so that patients already in treatment, as well as those waiting for treatment to start, will be transferred to a new provider where relevant.”

There will be a new practice in Horsham run by NEO Orthodontics while Total Orthodontics will continue to provide services in Crawley and in Mid Sussex. Mr A McCance will also continue to provide orthodontic services in Mid Sussex.

Simon Nezic, area manager for Total Orthodontics said: “I’d like to reassure patients that Total Orthodontics Horsham will remain open. We will continue to take NHS patients until 31st March 2019, and any patients already receiving treatment will continue to be seen by the dedicated team here. This move does not affect any private patients, and we will continue to welcome them both now and in the future.”