Lights Switched On

It has finally happened and I have started on the refurbishment of the building. I have simplified the plan to minimise the disruption and comply with the Building Control Regulations. Even so, the plans to open in September have drifted slightly to October; however, after such a long year of frustration and delays, I can live with a small shift.

So this is it; the lights at the end of the tunnel have been switched on - it is official!

Building Blocks

It has been an interesting couple of weeks and some progress has been made. I have submitted my latest plans to the Building Control Officers at Warwick District Council and I have to say they have been very helpful, so I don't anticipate any major problems on that front.

However, getting quotes for the revised plans from builders has proved to be a lot trickier - one builder cannot offer anything until March 2010. This would suggest that things are picking up on a local level, irrespective of the doom and gloom we are hearing on the national news.

September is slowly becoming more and more ambitious but I am going to keep pushing hard - we need those doors open.

Phone Number - 0844 375 6505

It has been an exciting couple of weeks as I am now actually planning to be open in September; as always there are a few hurdles to be overcome, but that is nothing new. I seem to have round this buoy several times over the past few months; however this time funding has been secured and at long last I will be realising my vision.

I have set up our telephone number - 0844 375 6505. I know these numbers have had a bad press recently, so I have asked the provider to put the record straight:

"There is a common misconception that 0844 numbers cost the same to call as 0870 numbers or premium rate numbers. This is not true. Premium rate calls cost between 10p to £1.50 a minute, whilst national call rate numbers (usually known as 0870) cost about 8p a minute to call. 0844 numbers cost 4.2p per minute to call, which is equivalent to the BT standard daytime rate for the first minute of a call. Whilst tariffs do vary widely, for most patients there is little or no difference in the cost of calling their dentist on a low call rate 0844 number. In fact, some patients may find it cheaper because unlike a BT call there is no 3p connection charge. Those patients who pay more because of their telecom provider’s rate package will only find themselves paying on a few pennies extra for the call. We do not make a ‘profit’ out of the 0844 calls - this is written into our contact. The money generated partially funds the new equipment in order to provide a better service for patients."

At the end of the day it is all about providing a better service to our patients. It is going to be a busy summer - fantastic.

Website Launch

You will all be aware that not a lot has happened lately - I am wading through the application process to seek funding through the Government backed Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme. I am confident of success, but time is really dragging and I want to get on and get the practice open.

However, some progress has been made and the new practice website is up and running, please have a look and let me know your thoughts.

www.augustadental.co.uk

I have tried to capture the ethos of the new practice on the website, with a particular emphasis on 'excellence in dentistry'. I enjoy what I do and I am keen to create an environment that everyone else really enjoys, both in and out of the surgery. I have got the plans ready, so I have just got to convince the bankers.

Small Steps

Goodness, I hadn't realised it had been so long since I posted any news; a couple of emails from friends made me realise that I need to keep everything up to date. The main reason for the lack of news has been the lack of progress and it has been so frustrating. Timing is everything and I seem to have got it slightly wrong and despite all the efforts of the Government, the banks are not keen to support a new business.

However, I am taking small steps, making a little bit of progress and pursuing several exciting possibilities. Most importantly the vision remains intact, I know Augusta Dental Centre is an excellent concept, it is a good plan and I am very confident we will succeed.

New Year, New Start

This year has ended with some real positive news.  I have been in successful negotiations to significantly reduce the refurbishment costs and I have finally managed to secure some funding for the project.  It has been extremely difficult to overcome the current paralysis and lack of decision-making in the current financial market.  I know I have a good plan and I can't wait to get started.

As always nothing is set in stone and I am sure that I will have many twists and turns on the way.  However, I now feel that this big boulder I have been trying to push up a hill is reaching the summit and I will soon been racing down the other side.  Until we actually start, it is impossible to predict when we shall finish, but Easter will be in April 2009 and who knows.

Frustration

The plans have been finalised; I am happy with the design produced by Genus Interiors and the dental equipment sourced through Blueprint Dental will be first rate.  The new practice website is being developed, although it has been slow progress but everything has now stalled.

The protracted negotiations over the lease has meant that I am now caught up in the current financial maelstrom and the banks have changed their situation somewhat.  It is like pushing a boulder up a hill, as I am getting near the top people keep adding extra weights; however, as soon as I reach the summit progress is going to be rapid.