WORCESTERSHIRE residents are reminded that routine appointments are available across the county at primary care services in the evenings and at weekends.

Extended appointments are available between 6.30pm on 8pm on weekdays and at certain times at the weekend.

People who need one of these appointments can pre-book by contacting your surgery during its opening hours.

These extended access appointments are, either at the practice itself, or a nearby hub practice, where GPs, nurses and healthcare assistants offer routine appointments.

If the practice is closed there is information on its website with telephone numbers for the hubs if a patient needs to book a routine appointment.

The three Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) - NHS Redditch and Bromsgrove, NHS South Worcestershire and NHS Wyre Forest - introduced the national Improved Access scheme to provide more choice, greater convenience and increased access to GP and nurse appointments outside of normal working hours.

Lynda Dando, director of primary care for the three Worcestershire CCGs, said: “We’re pleased to be able to offer this service to assist those patients who struggle to access GP or nurse appointments during the day.

“However, a lot of these extra appointments aren’t being used, as patients don’t know they are available. We would encourage patients to get in touch with their surgery to find out more if they need book outside of normal working hours. This is a great example of how primary care is evolving across Worcestershire, as we strive to continue to offer the best services possible for our residents.”

People can find out more about improved access appointments at worcestershire.nhs.uk/winter/extended-access.