People came together in St Pauls to protest against the "devastating" closure of their local dentist. Bupa Dental Care on Ashley Road is set to close at the end of June and is one of 85 branches across the UK being closed by the private healthcare provider, following staff shortages and inflation.
St Pauls and surrounding neighbourhoods are classed as areas of multiple deprivation and the majority of people using the service are NHS patients. Existing St Pauls Bupa patients who spoke to Bristol Live say they have spent hours looking for an alternative NHS dental provider, but have not found one.
Local campaigners have started a petition, which has been sent to the Integrated Care Board and their local MP. Residents who came out to protest on Tuesday afternoon (May 30) spoke of how they have already lost their local bank and Post Office and do not want to lose their local dentist as well.
