‘Open all hours’ praise for surgeries

ALMOST all family doctors in Oldham are opening surgeries in the evenings and at weekends, according to new figures.

The Department of Health Information revealed that 43 of the Oldham’s 46 GP surgeries offered extended opening hours as of last month.

It follows changes to the GP contract, agreed with the British Medical Association in March last year, to reward practices that extend their opening times by an average of three hours a week at times that reflect the needs of patients.

Nationally, the figures showed that seven in 10 practices in England offered extended opening — meaning Oldham patients are more likely to get an appointment out of working hours than anywhere else in the country.

Shauna Dixon, director of clinical leadership at NHS Oldham, said: “It’s great that so much progress has been made in increasing the number of GP practices in Oldham that offer extended opening hours.

“Longer opening hours means more appointments are available and make it easier for people to see a GP at a time that is convenient for them.

“This initiative is one of many that will see GP practices continue to improve. Overall, it will play its part in improving people’s health and reducing health inequalities across the borough.”

The Government set a target of getting at least half of all GP practices to open later or at weekends by the end of last year.

Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said: “I am pleased to see that over 69 per cent of GP practices across the country are now providing early morning, evening or weekend opening to reflect local patients’ needs.

“Flexible and convenient opening hours provide millions more appointments and make it much easier for patients to see a GP.

“Thanks to the hard work of local NHS organisations and GP practices, this has far exceeded the original target of half of GP surgeries offering extended opening hours by the end of 2008.

“I would strongly encourage anyone who is not satisfied with access in their area to take this up with their local NHS.”

Businesses have complained they lose 38m working hours and £1bn a year because employees visit their GP during working hours.