A campaign has been launched to save a dentist in St Pauls closed by Bupa in June. Councillor Amirah Cole, who represents Ashley ward, has been working with local residents to protest the decision and demand alternative dental care for its NHS patients.
The dentist in Ashley Road was one of the few practices in Bristol that offered NHS dental services, serving around 7,000 patients, many of whom are low-income or vulnerable.
Bupa announced its decision to close the practice in May, citing 'operational reasons'. The company said it would help patients find alternative dental care but admitted that there were no other NHS dentists in Bristol taking on new patients.