HappyNewYear to you all!I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and wish you all the best for 2009.I am having a restful time and should be rejuvenated and ready for the New Year!

I am not entirely resting of course and am working on strategies for next year.I'm also doing a lot of necessary tasks that get ignored whilst the practice is constantly busy.

So,enjoy the rest of the holiday and I look forward to seeing you all next year.

As the end of another year draws near the latter half of the year has seen some rather significant changes within the practice.
We are not now accepting any new patients at all in the practice for the foreseeable future.Because of the innundation of NHS patients looking for a dentist(and my trying to accomodate them) this has created a backlog with established patients' care and treatment.
On treatment days(tues,wed and Thurs) I am working very hard to reduce this.
In the economic situation as it is times are difficult for all of us.I have been through times like these before and dentistry has an important role in these times.
The higher you think of us dentists and the greater regard you have for us at this time the better your world will be.In many times of economic difficulty public opinion and how they"treat" their dentists has a distinct correlation.Within the health services sector( both public and private) dentistry has always, more than any of the disciplines been a business with influence to the larger business community.
Holding your dentist in high regard is very important.Importantly,you will receive better treatment and also this provides and allows hope for improving situations.
Allow us to do what we do (or should do) best for the good of all.

As regards Roe Valley dental Practice I will keep you posted as to what is happening.If you are an NHS patient be very careful not to allow your registration to lapse because if it does you will not be accepted back other than as a private patient.Your registration lasts 15 months from each time you sign an NHS form.

For now I wish you all a happy and good Christmas and New Year.

As I have said in previous blogs the practice is very busy and the waiting time has just got too long.I have no option but to do something about this.My responsibility is primarily to my existing patients and their interests.The action I have taken is that from tomorrow 16/10/2008 we will not be accepting any new NHS patients.
I will continue my commitment to the NHS.There is only so much one person can do and to maintain my standards and obligation to the patients of the practice I have no other choice.I hope you understand and the care of existing patients should be not be impaired in any way.If anything I should be able to reduce the waiting time and this aspect should improve.
thankyou.
Dr W.P.McLaughlin

September News

Well all the schools have returned for the autumn term and the transitional time at the practice is starting to settle.
The "open days" have proved a success, in one way, in that on those days I can offer an appointment at short notice.However, there are not going to be any more for a while as I attempt to get the waiting time down and make inroads into the treatment that needs doing.
It is extremely busy at present and those of you that phone looking for an appointment will know this.The demand for treatment is vast at present.
The reason for this is that very few dentists are taking on any new NHS patients in the immediate area except myself.I still maintain my commitment to the NHS for various reasons.The NHS contract for dentists is about to change also and I want to participate in these changes which will involve a pilot study prior to implementation.
I have had extensive experience within both the NHS and Private Dentistry.I have developed the private side of the practice since I started working in Limavady.
Government funding for dentistry has flaws and is outmoded but it is constant,reliable and one only has to ask to receive so I won't be turning my back on that in any way.My commitment remains unwavering.In these days of uncertain economics I would consider it unwise to shun a system that has funded my professional education and within which I have spent most of my practising career.One hears the NHS described as "poor" by some but I don't consider this so at all.It is actually a system of abundance in that if the demand is there the money and supply is as well.I have received grants that have funded expensive tems of equipment that I otherwise would have delayed purchasing.
These are facts to be borne in mind in these uncertain times.
I have other tactics in mind and as you know I constantly adapt my working ways to the current climate so I will continue to do this.
Karen Hill has replaced Elaine on reception.
I endeavor to try to reduce the waiting time and appreciate your help and patience in the matter.I hope also you understand my ethos for the practice and this may go some way to clarifying this.
Just ask me if you have any queries regarding any of this and I will be more than happy to elucidate.

After all those blogs that are out there somewhere in cyberspace......another one!The practice is going through an exciting transitional time at the moment and I will keep you informed as to developments.I plan to do a weekly blog if there is news to tell otherwise at least once a month.
Plans for the audit are well under way now.
Keeping you posted.

Latest News

Well there have been a few problems with my posting newsletters.That's my story anyway and I'm sticking to it!Suffice it to say that 2 years on the practice staff lineup has not one of the originals left.Shock, horror to some but not for me.The only constant since acquiring the practice has been my ever changing ways.This is an essential to maintaining health in many ways

.Elaine has left recently and so it is a whole new ball game so to speak.

However it is a very exciting time for the practice and I am looking forward to it all with much relish.I feel enthused,positive and very good.

On a relevant note I am still accepting NHS patients.In N.Ireland imminently we are going to be running some pilot studies to improve and find a workable system for NHS treatment access.I intend to participate in this if there is one in Limavady.

Also I am doing an audit within the practice shortly also.I intend doing a three year review of a study I did (this is a surprise....you'll never guess......)three years ago!

So despite the lack of blogs lots has been happening.

Those other messages are out there somewhere!!!!!!!!

Well we are well into the year now!A few significant developments recently to let you know about.
We have now got a water cooler in the waiting room but more importantly now offer a dental insurance scheme that I have researched at great length before selecting this particular one.
We have the private fees as always and still offer NHS treatment to exempt patients,children and those who specifically request.This is something different in that it is an insurance scheme(with Dencover) that is totally flexible.There is a monthly payment that covers for treatment and maintenance(examinations and scale and polishes) and is very good value for money.
I want to offer as much choice to the patients of the practice as possible and this scheme offers just this.Ask for further details at your next visit to the surgery.

At the moment the waiting time for appointments is longer than I would want so I am working intensely to reduce this.As an interim measure we are making routine examination appointments for the beginning of April onwards.
I still aim to see patients of the practice in pain on the day they contact.
For the time being as well we are not accepting new patients or patients of other practices in pain until the waiting time is reduced.I will update you as things progress.
Be assured I am doing all I can to improve this situation.