A COMPANY which operates an NHS dental clinic in the Cotswolds has welcomed Government plans to plough money into improving access.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has said £28 million will be committed to increasing access to NHS dental care in Britain.

Sian Nelson-Jones, clinical director at Genix Healthcare, which runs clinics in Cirencester and Gloucester, said: "This extra funding is excellent news for people who have been struggling to access NHS dental care.

"We continue to expand our clinics in the Gloucestershire region, with our biggest UK practice in Gloucester, and have extended our opening hours to help fulfil demand in the region.

"We still have patient spaces and already visit care homes where people are unable to travel to our clinics."

The funding will be given to primary care trusts like NHS Gloucestershire, which have to bid for the cash to spend on expanding local services in ways that best meet their patients' needs.