People registered with Hallgarth Surgery in Shildon are now able to access Saturday appointments until the end of March 2015.
NHS Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the organisation responsible for planning and purchasing health services on behalf of the 272,000 residents in the area, is continuing to run the scheme which was originally introduced in November 2013 to improve access to healthcare for patients.
A number of practices in the area will run the Saturday opening scheme until March 2015 with patients able to access a choice of:
• appointments for Saturdays pre-booked with the GP practice
• urgent appointments booked on Saturdays via NHS 111
• urgent walk in appointments on Saturdays.
The scheme aims to improve access to GP services during weekends and reduce the pressure on hospital A&E departments, allowing them to concentrate on more urgent cases.
Since the scheme was launched it has been successful in increasing access for patients whilst providing better quality and continuity of care. The scheme offers flexibility for those working through the week and ultimately offers care closer to home, with indications suggesting that weekend opening has had a positive impact on both A&E and urgent care activity.
Dr Stewart Findlay, Chief Clinical Officer from Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield CCG said, “We are committed to increasing patient access to GP appointments outside current contracted hours with a view to improving patient satisfaction with opening hours whilst maintaining standards of access and availability during core practice hours.
“There is evidence to show that continuity of care from GPs reduces the likelihood of emergency admissions to hospital.”
Hallgarth Surgery will be open from 9am to 12 noon every Saturday until March.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
