RELIEF is in sight for thousands of patients trying to register with an NHS dentist.

Iosis Clinic Limited has landed the £1.1m annual contract offered by NHS Hampshire to open a new surgery in Winchester this autumn.

The company could treat up to 9,500 patients each year, roughly a quarter of the city’s population.

However, the new practice has also been asked by health chiefs to provide an outreach service for nearby villages and market towns.

The contract requires Iosis to tackle the shortage of NHS dental coverage in Stockbridge, Bishop’s Waltham, Wickham and the upper Meon Valley.

A spokesman for NHS Hampshire said one idea was to use a large van or small truck that could be equipped as a mobile surgery. However, the exact plans are yet to be finalised.

Anglo St James House in Southgate Street, Winchester, will house the main surgery.

It will be based in the ground floor of the modern office building and health chiefs hope that it will open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week.

Richard Pullen, director of Winchester-based estate agents, Goadsby, which secured the deal for Anglo St James House, said the surgery had taken a ten-year lease.

He added that there was enough space for five consulting rooms at the recently upgraded offices.

Natalie Jones, lead commissioning manager for primary care dental services at NHS Hampshire, said: “We are delighted to have awarded this contract to Iosis Clinic Limited and will be working closely with them over the next few months as they get ready to start the new service.”

She added: “The new practice is part of NHS Hampshire’s investment programme in NHS dental care available to Hampshire residents and it will see over 9,500 patients.

“However, I would urge people not to try and register with the practice at the moment. As soon as we are able to take registrations we will let people know through the Dental Helpline website and NHS Hampshire website.”

A spokesman added that a phone number would also be made available closer to the time for those who are not already online.

Until then, anyone requiring urgent dental treatment who is not registered at a surgery is advised to call 0845 050 8345 between 8.30am and 5.30pm on weekdays.