GPs to see patients on Saturdays

During the busy winter months, patients will be able to visit their GP on Saturdays. A number of GP practices across North Staffordshire and Stone-on-Trent have signed on to provide Saturday opening hours for patients who need an urgent appointment over the winter.

Some GPs to remain open on Saturdays

Some GP surgeries to open on Saturday during winter

The scheme plans to run throughout the winter months, from November until 14th February, 2015, with GP practices offering urgent appointments for patients who are registered with their practice if they contact the surgery by telephone or by visiting.

Dr Emma Sutton, Clinical Director for Primary Care at North Staffordshire CCG, said, ‘as a local GP, I know people will value being able to see their doctor for urgent health matters on a Saturday.

This will not only offer a local, convenient service but also better continuity of care as the practice has access to patient’s records and a wealth of information about any ongoing health needs they might have.

We are hopeful this service will prove useful to a number of people as well as also easing unnecessary pressure on other services like the Accident and Emergency department,’ Dr Sutton added: ‘Patients should ring their surgery first to see if it is offering a Saturday appointment’.

Patients in need of urgent care have been advised to contact their GP surgeries to enquire about whether their local surgery is taking part in the scheme.