The doctor will see you now - at weekends and in the evening
PEOPLE across Bristol can now book evening and weekend appointments with their GP – in a bid to make the service more accessible.
The new initiative comes as part of a move by GP practices across the Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset to work together to offer patients better access to primary care service.
This means people will be able to see a GP or practice nurse or other health professional at a time which is more convenient for them, seven days a week.
It is hoped the extended hour appointments will take pressure off the NHS and hospital accident and emergency departments at one of thier busiest times of the year.
Dr Jonathan Hayes, local GP and Clinical Chair of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “We are delighted to be able to offer evening and weekend GP and nurse appointments to our patients.
“We understand some patients struggle to get appointments during normal opening hours due to work and other constraints, so we want to be able to help with this and offer appointments out of hours. We’re hoping that by offering more GP and nurse appointments, we can also help to relieve pressure on the health system.”
In line with national guidance, all CCGs in England are now required to provide improved access to GP services, including at evenings and weekends, for 100 per cent of their population.
Dr Hayes added: “This shows how primary care is evolving, not only across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, but also across the country.”
Under the improved access scheme, patients may not be offered appointments with their own named GP or practice, but will have access to a GP in their area outside normal opening hours.
For more information visit www. nhs.uk/GPaccess.