NEARLY 1,000 extrra appointments for doctors and nurses have been made available for local residents following the introduction of the national Improved Access scheme in Worcestershire.
The scheme, which is being run by the county’s three doctor-led Clinical Commissioning Groups covering Redditch and Bromsgrove, South Worcestershire and Wyre Forest, will offer appointments outside normal working hours.
It’s been achieved by local GP practices working closer together to provide the out of hours service.
As a result the appointments may not be with your usual doctor and could be at a different practice from the one you normally attend.
Some of the appointments may only be by telephone too.
Appointments will be available between 6.30pm and 8pm on week days and at specific times at the weekend.
Doctors say these will be pre-bookable by contacting your own surgery during their opening hours.
Lynda Dando, director of Primary Care for the three Worcestershire CCGs, said: “We’re pleased to be able to offer this service to assist those patients who struggle to access GP or nurse appointments during the day.
“This is a great example of how primary care is evolving across Worcestershire, as we strive to continue to offer the best services possible for our residents.”
Doctors stress these appointments are for routine general practice issues.
If patients require urgent treatment out of normal opening hours and it’s not an emergency, call NHS 111 to discuss healthcare options, including access to Out of Hours GP appointments.
To find out more about Improved Access appointments visit www.worcestershire.nhs.uk/winter/extended-access
