Extended hours proposed for Barnard Castle GP surgery

EXTENDED GP hours will mean people can see a doctor in Barnard Castle late at night during weekdays and on Saturdays and Sundays.
Changes from April 1 are expected to see Barnard Castle Surgery opening longer for appointments or for urgent care patients.
Extra capacity is being created at other surgeries, health officials say.
Presently, the urgent care centre at Bishop Auckland Hospital helps patients who have serious medical problems that can’t be managed by GPs or which don’t need a visit to an A&E ward.
They are referred to the centre, which is open 24/7, by dialling 111 or just walking in.
But the shake-up will see GP practices work together in Teesdale to provide the service in Barnard Castle.
The out-of-hours services to be delivered Monday from Friday 6pm to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 8am and 1pm. Additional capacity has been created in all GP practices for daytime urgent need.
The plans are being drawn up by Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group to provide “high quality care seven days a week closer to home”.
GP surgeries will look after patients if they are unwell during the day and will be open longer offering same day appointments, a spokesman said.
Patients who need to be seen urgently on the same day will be offered an appointment either at their own GP surgery, or at another GP surgery nearby if there are no appointments at their own GP practice. The urgent care centre at Bishop Auckland Hospital will close, but people with a minor injury will continue to be seen there 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Examples of cases include sprains and strains, broken bones, and minor burns and scalds.
In March, all patients will receive a pocket guide through the post that will outline the changes and what to do if they are feeling unwell.
Dr Stewart Findlay, from the clinical commissioning group, said: “We are delighted that we can provide seven day services within local GP practices for everyone so that they can receive quality health care quickly and for longer, that will fit around their work commitments and families.”