NHS website invites patient comments on dentists

The Department of Health has added a new feature to the dental services section of the NHS Choices website for patients to comment on individual practices. Health minister Simon Burns launched the service on 23 December. Members of the public can use the site to say how easy it is to get an appointment; whether they would recommend the dental practice; how they are treated by staff and whether they feel involved in decisions about their care. The site also allows patients to view other people's comments about dental services. Burns said: "The internet has become a two way street. Rather than just viewing information online like people did years ago, it's the norm for people to share experiences and leave comments for others to read. Businesses have adapted to this powerful development, and the NHS needs to as well." He said he hoped that the information would also be used by staff in NHS dental practices to improve their services. Information about opening times and additional services offered by England's 22,000 NHS dentists is available on one page. At the same time, the Department of Health gave its official seal of approval to Patient Opinion , an independent website allowing patients to comment on hospitals and primary care. As a result of a partnership between NHS Choices and the site, run by Sheffield GP Dr Paul Hodgkin, comments left on Patient Opinion site will be republished on NHS Choices, with the aim of helping patients to make informed decisions about their care. Dr Hodgkin said the collaboration was an example of 'big society' principles in action. "We're delighted to partner with the NHS to carry the voices of patients and their carers more powerfully into local health services," he said. "By linking an independent grassroots social enterprise with a major public service, this partnership enables even more people to give their feedback to the NHS, and more local organisations to join the conversation and monitor how services are changing."