GP Enhanced Access Service

Friday, 30 September 2022 15:45

By David Murphy

Patients in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale will continue to benefit from GP and nurse appointments in the evenings, Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays after the launch of a new national contract with GP practices.

From 1^st October 2022, the national contract requires the service known as ‘enhanced access’ to be provided by Primary Care Networks which are groups of practices working together. Appointments in the evenings and Saturdays will be available when patients contact their GP surgery with their health concern. Appointments will be available for patients outside of the normal working hours and remote and face-to-face appointments can be made with a variety of GP practice staff including doctors, advanced care practitioners, nurses, pharmacists and healthcare assistants.

Heywood Middleton and Rochdale Integrated Care Partnership has enhanced this national offer to ensure patients continue to receive appointments on Sundays, which has been part of the previous local arrangement. Presently you can book all appointments by contacting your GP practice in the first instance and you will be advised of the time and venue for your appointment.

Steve Rumbelow, Place Lead, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Integrated Care Partnership said: “Access where and when you need it is important to us all. Local GP practices are working together to offer patients evening and weekend appointments in the Rochdale borough which includes continued access to appointments on Sundays and Bank holidays. That means you will be able to see a GP, nurse or other health professional at a time which is most convenient for you.

GP practices will still be available during normal hours and you should contact your GP practice in the first instance to access them.