Southwark residents have been telling us for some time that they sometimes find it difficult to get an appointment with the GP or practice nurse, writes Dr Jonty Heaversedge…
NHS Southwark Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the organisation in charge of planning and buying local health services, have used this feedback to develop the Extended Primary Care Service. And it is proving popular with patients.
More GP and nurse appointments are now available for Southwark residents in the daytime, evening and at weekends through the extended service. The CCG has invested £2 million per year in the service to make it easier for people to see or speak to a doctor or nurse at a time that suits them.
The service provides pre-booked appointments from 8am – 8pm, 7 days a week, including bank holidays. Local GP practices are working together to deliver the extended service from two sites in Bermondsey and Peckham. Initially the service is focusing providing care for people with same day or next day health needs, but will be delivering broader primary care services over the coming months.
To get an appointment at the service, call your GP practice in the usual way or when your practice is closed, contact the GP out of hours service (SELDOC) on 020 8693 9066. Patients with more complex needs that are better managed by their own GP would be seen in their own practice.
Every month over 4,000 extra appointments are offered to people with urgent health needs at the Extended Primary Care Service. Over 95% of patients who have used the service would recommend it to friends and family.
Ask your GP practice about the Extended Primary Care Service or visit www.southwarkccg.nhs.uk