BBC Question Time host Fiona Bruce was left stunned after a member of the audience told her she had to travel a staggering 25 miles to visit an NHS dentist.
During a discussion about the future of the NHS, one member of the Peterborough audience asked whether, in the face of lengthy NHS waiting lists, everybody should now take out private healthcare.
Another audience member commented: “It’s not just about private hospitals.
“If you’re trying to get to see an NHS dentist, the nearest one that will take an adult who’s not on benefits is in Kettering, over 25 miles away.”
A visibly surprised Ms Bruce said: “So hang on, let’s just explore that a bit further.
“So if you live in Peterborough and you’re not on benefits and you want to get NHS dentists you have to go 25 miles?”
The woman replied: “I was deregistered because the dentist I was with, the NHS dentist, cancelled my appointment during COVID and then said because you haven’t been, you’re deregistered.
“I can’t find another NHS dentist anywhere – the nearest is Kettering.”
Ms Bruce then asked the audience if others had had similar experiences, and a second woman said she had to travel 40 miles to see a dentist, prompting Ms Bruce to say: “Blimey O’Reilly.”
Responding for the Government, Bim Afolami, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said:”The impact of COVID on our system was significant. It’s not just in this country. It happened in other countries as well. NHS dentistry is a big part of that.
“And now we have got the economy turning the corner. That means we’ve now going to be able to continue to increase the funding where it’s necessary, but I’m not pretending that it’s easy.
“But what I’d also say to you, is you’ve got to be aware of when Labour or anybody else says ‘don’t worry, trust us, give us 10 years and power and we will fix it, they’re not willing to explain the plan.
“They’re not really willing to explain how they’re going to fund it.”