GP extended access is here

NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group is ensuring access to primary care services, including GPs and nurses, is much easier with an extra 334 appointments per week now available.

Under the GP Extended Access Service patients registered with Nene Member Practices will be able to make appointments at times that are more convenient to them, including evenings until 8pm, weekends and Bank Holidays.

Benefits of the GP Extended Access Service include:

• Appointments at more convenient times
• 334 additional appointments per week for patients
• Wide range of appointments available with different healthcare professionals

Dr Naomi Caldwell, Clinical Primary Care lead said: “We understand our patients are leading increasingly busy lives and there is now much more demand to be able to see a GP or nurse outside normal working hours.

“The GP Extended Access Service has been commissioned to make it much more convenient for patients to book an appointment at a time which suits them, including evenings and weekends. Patients needing a primary care appointment will still contact their GP practice in the usual way but now may be offered an appointment with the GP Extended Access Service, if this is right for them.”

The service is being delivered by a collaboration of GP practices in the area and is exactly like an appointment at a patient’s GP practice.The service can see babies and children, and nurse appointments for certain treatments may be available where required.

If a patient wishes to attend an extended hours appointment, they may be given an option to travel to another local GP practice or a central hub and may not necessarily see their own GP.  This means that extended access appointments require patient consent for sharing their records. Patients preferring to see their usual GP or practice nurse should book an appointment with their practice during normal opening hours.

Patients will still need to contact their GP practice in the usual way to request an appointment.  If there is no appointment available at the practice, patients may be offered an appointment with the GP Extended Access Service, if this is right for them. 

Patients needing urgent care when their practice is closed should continue to call NHS 111 in the usual way.

For more information, visit the website https://www.neneccg.nhs.uk/gp-extended-access-service/