Pressure on GPs eases up
More than 1,300 patients across Lanarkshire benefited from GP surgeries opening on Saturday mornings throughout January.
Around half of Lanarkshire’s 103 general medical practices opened, helping to meet the increased demand created by the exceptionally high levels of winter illness.
These included practices in Wishaw, Newmains, Shotts and Motherwell.
The move was one of a series of measures that were put in place by NHS Lanarkshire in response to the unprecedented pressures on the health service.
During the four Saturdays in January, 1332 patients attended their practice, had a house call or had a telephone consultation.
This helped to reduce demand on the out-of-hours service and A&Es at a time when they were also under significant pressure.
Dr Iain Wallace, medical director for NHS Lanarkshire, said that the numbers demonstrated the benefit of providing this service at a time of exceptionally high demand.
He said: “The response from practices in providing the additional access has been extremely positive and much needed, judging by the number of patients contacting their GP. This has helped to ease the pressure all round.
“Our continuing aim is to ensure that our GPs see patients only where a GP can help and I would remind everyone of the other options available including health advice from local pharmacies and NHS Inform.
“Both can help with self care for illness such as colds, coughs, sore throats and viruses.”