Our GPs are extending their opening hours
Tuesday 17th June, 2008
Many patients in West Sussex are now able to see their GP outside of the normal GP practice hours.
GP surgeries across West Sussex have proactively taken up the Government priority to extend access to routine medical care.
In May 2008, 58% of West Sussex GP practices were offering their patients routine appointments at times outside the core hours of 08:00 – 18:30 on weekdays. This increased to 81% (78 out of 94 practices) by June 2008.
Depending on the preferences expressed by patients in the most recent Patient Survey, individual practices are offering early mornings, every and/or Saturday morning appointments. This is based on a minimum period of 30 minutes per 1,000 patients.
Nicky Cambrook, Interim Director of Primary Care Development at the Primary Care Trust (PCT) said, “As a PCT we are delighted that our practices have responded to patient needs in this way. Over the year we will be monitor take up of the appointment times offered and work with our patients and practices to refine our service.”
The national average of GP practices extending their hours in other commissioning areas is 18% against the national target of 50%..
