GPs to extend opening hours
PATIENTS in Suffolk will now be able to visit their GPs in the mornings, evenings and weekends, it emerged today.
PATIENTS in Suffolk will now be able to visit their GPs in the mornings, evenings and weekends, it emerged today.
GP surgeries across the county are now opening for longer to give patients the chance to see doctors before or after work.
After a new contract was negotiated between the surgeries and Suffolk Primary Care Trust (PCT) 45 of the 68 GP practices in the county agreed to extended opening hours, some adding an extra eight hours a week to their availability.
Bill Robinson, chief executive of the Local Medical Committee, the body which represents GPs, said: “I think it gives people better access to services, especially if they find it difficult to get to their GP.
“However it continues to provide an extra demand on GPs because these are additional hours.”
All GP practices have to be available from 8am to 6.30pm on Monday to Friday, but now some will open as early as 7am.
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Melanie Craig, deputy director of performance at Suffolk PCT, said: “This is extremely good news for patients trying to juggle busy lives who sometimes find it difficult to get to their GP practice for a routine appointment.
“The practices themselves have responded to the needs of their patients. For example, several of the Ipswich practices are now holding 7am to 8pm surgeries, which should make it easier for employees to see their GP before heading off to work.”
GP surgeries which are extending their opening hours will receive more money in return for the extra workload.
Do you want GP surgeries to be open for longer? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.
The GP practices offering longer opening hours include:
Bildeston: Health Centre
Felixstowe: Central Surgery
Felixstowe: Haven Health
Felixstowe: Howard House Surgery
Felixstowe: Walton Surgery
Framlingham: The Surgery
Hadleigh: Health Centre
Ipswich: Barrack Lane Medical Practice
Ipswich: Burlington Road
Ipswich: Chesterfield Drive
Ipswich: Derby Road
Ipswich: Felixstowe Road
Ipswich: Ivry Street
Ipswich: Landseer Road
Ipswich: Orchard Medical Practice
Ipswich: Ravenswood Medical Centre
Ipswich: Woodbridge Road
Kesgrave: Birches Medical Centre
Martlesham Heath: The Square
Mendlesham: Health Centre
Needham Market: County Practice
Stowmarket: Stowhealth
Woodbridge: Framfield House Surgery
Woodbridge: Little St John's Street
