A WOMAN was struck off by her dentist after cancelling an appointment to take her ill father to A&E.

Joanne Porteous, had visited the same dentist for 31 years.

Last week she was due to attend a routine check-up with her two children, but when doctors told her she needed to take her 81-year-old dad straight to A&E, she called to cancel the dental appointment.

Joanne, who is the sole carer for her dad Joseph, was then told she was no longer welcome at Newsome Dental Practice, because it was the second cancellation she had made.

The 43-year-old said: “My dad suffers from emphysema and heart disease.

“After visiting an army reunion, he was hugged by one of his old mates. He is quite frail and he heard a crack.

“His GP suggested he had broken a rib and needed to go to A&E, he asked me if I would take him because with his other conditions it could add further strain and the sooner he got seen the better.

“My dad knew about the dentist appointment, which we had booked about three weeks ago, and suggested we go tomorrow but I didn’t want to compromise his health.

“After I found out he needed to go up to the hospital, I called the dental surgery at 3.45pm to apologise and cancel the 4.50pm appointment.

“I was told that I had cancelled an appointment a long time ago and therefore I had been struck off.

“They told me my children were still welcome but I wasn’t.”

The Newsome woman’s previous check-up had also been cancelled due to an issue with her dad’s health.

After leaving the emergency department, Joanne headed straight to the surgery and arrived at 5pm – 10 minutes after her original appointment.

The receptionist at the Church Lane surgery told her she would “speak to her senior” after Joanne explained that she was a carer and had needed to take her dad to hospital.

She returned moments later to tell her there was nothing they would do to change the situation however the practice manager may call at lunchtime the following day.

Joanne never received a call.

The mum-of-two, who works at Queensgate Market when she is not caring for her dad, said: “I think it is the policy that has really upset me, it is ridiculous that you can have two strikes and you’re out especially considering the circumstances.

“I rang and would never just not turn up.

“It is really very difficult to find another dentist that will take on NHS patients.

“Surgeries are only taking Denplan and private patients.

“My 12-year-old daughter Kasie was with me and she is really upset that we have been treated this way.”

Joseph, who has had to use a wheelchair previously due to his condition, said: “It is absolutely appalling.

“I’m disabled, 81, and my daughter was simply helping me. I cannot believe that they have struck her off especially after all this time, we are all very upset about their inconsiderate behaviour.”

The surgery was contacted but refused to comment.