Extended Access is currently provided by the PCN making it easier for patients to get an appointment to talk to a member of their own practice team outside of the normal opening hours of 8am to 6.30pm.

From 1st October 2022 the practices in our PCN have worked together to provide some extra services available outside of normal opening hours and hosted at different practices in the local area. This includes Dietitians, Physiotherapists, Mental Health Workers, Health and Wellbeing Coaches and Social Prescribers.

This means a greater variety of staff available to patients outside of normal opening hours and also that you can see staff at other practices instead of just your own. There are some limitations to this around test requesting, sample collecting and some other IT issues that may take a little time to iron out. It's important that whoever you book an appointment with that they have access to your medical records as appropriate for that appointment.  

There are also proven benefits to having continuity of care - meaning that people who are cared for by the same practice team have better health outcomes and live longer. We don't want this extra capacity to water down the relationship that makes GP practices special. 

It's envisaged that these appointments will be most useful to for patients who work during the day, those who care for others, are at University or school and therefore struggle to access appointments at their own practice during the day.

We are not able to provide transport to other sites for patients who book appointments at other practices, and please bear in mind that perhaps while the reception staff at your usual GP surgery may know you need to be seen downstairs because of your mobility, the staff at another practice won't know if you have particular access needs, so please make sure these are communicated to the team when you book an appointment for another surgery.

These appointments may be delivered in person, by video or phone call or even online consultation and will be bookable through your usual GP surgery reception team. 

We now have Saturday morning Cervical Screening appointments available at the University Health Centre. Appointments are with a female Practice Nurse fully trained in cervical screening. It's natural to be nervous about attending an intimate examination so please find attached a link with tips on how to make it as easy as possible and also a bit more about the process if this is new for you. Book these Saturday appointments through your usual practice.

Cervical screening: support for people who feel anxious about attending - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

We'd love to hear from you if you've had an appointment with one of our extended roles or extended hours clinics. Please use the link below to give us some feedback anonymously. FEEDBACK FORM