'IT'S LIKE PULLING TEETH!' WOMAN'S DENTAL ORDEAL AFTER FIT

Tracey Vasey, 43, called the NHS Direct helpline, which advised her to contact Northway Dental Clinic. But after trying to get through for an hour she was transferred to Scarborough Hospital's switchboard – and told to call NHS Direct.

Mrs Vasey, of Filey Road, said: "When I called NHS Direct back the nurse was so concerned she advised me to go to A&E.

"I was in agony and had not been sleeping, which was making my epilepsy worse.

"I was given antibiotics and told to go to Malton Hospital the next day. They said my tooth did need to come out, but they wouldn't be able to do it for six weeks.

"I do think the situation in Scarborough is pretty bad. What are people supposed to do in an emergency if no-one answers the phone?"

Mrs Vasey has around three major epileptic fits a month and has a Vagus nerve stimulator implanted below her collarbone to help reduce the frequency and intensity of seizures.

The mother-of-two, who chairs the Scarborough's Epilepsy Action group, ended up asking her daughter's dentist for help, as she has not been able to register with an NHS dentist in Scarborough.

She eventually received help from Scarborough dentist and a former chairman of the British Dental Association John Renshaw.

She said: "I spoke to Mr Renshaw at 10.15am and was in the dentist's chair at 10.45am. I had to pay as a private patient but I was so relieved to be seen. "

Mr Renshaw said: "Mrs Vasey's situation was pretty grim and she needed attention. NHS services seem to be going downhill which is illogical when you consider that it's the 60th anniversary. But this is 2008, not 1948 and people should be able to access an emergency service when they need it."

A spokesman for North Yorkshire and York PCT said: "We do recognise that sometimes it can be difficult to get through. "There is an answer phone facility – if people leave a contact phone number someone will call them back."

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