Pilot to offer longer GP opening hours

Patients in Hambleton and Richmondshire are to benefit from longer GP practice opening hours as part of a pilot scheme.

GP practices in the area are taking part in the initiative, offering extra appointments on different evenings of the week. Weekend appointments are also available and provided from The Friarage Hospital or Harewood Medical Centre, 9am- 1pm.

Appointments will be available to registered patients by pre-booking through their own surgery. It may be that the appointment is provided at one of the other participating GP practices, not necessarily the patient’s registered practice.

Duncan Rogers, local GP said: “Having difficulty accessing GP appointments is an issue that is regularly flagged nationally, so it’s really positive that we have the opportunity to do something about it in our local area.”

The pilot will run until June 2015.