£4 million scheme to see 5,000 extra GP appointments a month in Oxfordshire

Thousands of extra GP appointments are being made for patients in Oxfordshire in a bid to deliver a more flexible service.

The £4 million from NHS England will see 5,000 appointments a month offered at ‘hubs’ across the country, including weekday evenings up until 8pm and weekends, the Oxford Times has reported.

It aims to relieve some pressures faced by GPs during normal working hours and has been welcomed by campaigners including Healthwatch.

In Oxford the service is being run by Oxfordshire Federation (OxFed) at St Bartholomew’s Medical Centre in Manzil Way. The centre is easily accessible to patients in East Oxford and areas where many practices are reportedly struggling.

But some doctors remain sceptical, warning that making changes could see patients lose a close relationship with their local GP.

Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group secured the funding from NHS England.

Julie Dandridge, head of primary care at the group, said: “Evening and weekend appointments suit some people, especially those who are working long hours, have commitments or prefer a more flexible time to see a doctor or nurse.

“I encourage local people to use this service.”

Rosalind Pierce, chief executive of Healthwatch Oxfordshire, said: “These appointments will most likely not be available at the patient’s normal surgery or with their usual doctor and this must be explained simply at the time of appointment.

“It is important that communication with patients about this service is clear and in non-NHS speak.”