The NHS in Walsall has seen a surge in the number of people accessing out-of-hours GP appointments since last year.

NHS Walsall Clinical Commissioning Group launched its Extended GP Access service on 23 December 2017, which allows people registered with a Walsall GP to access late evening, weekend and bank holiday GP appointments.
 
Between December 2017 and May 2018 figures show that more than 8,500 people have accessed the service. Prof. Simon Brake, Chief Officer of NHS Walsall CCG said:

“This is a fantastic service that has seen local GPs working together to help make it a success, and I am very pleased to see that many Walsall patients have utilised this service.
 
“We have received lots of positive feedback and we are keen to listen to patients to help enhance the services to meet their needs.”
The CCG is also asking patients to complete a short survey about the service, which can be completed here: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/8CVHN2J
 
The extra appointments are available at three Hubs across the Borough, which are located at Broadway Medical Practice, Darlaston Health Centre and Pinfold Health Centre. The extra GP appointments are available between 6:30pm and 9:00pm on weekdays, 10:00am and 3:00pm at weekends and 11:00am and 1.30pm during Bank Holidays.

The service is for patients who have a pressing illness or injury or are unable to attend their GP during normal opening hours. The Hubs are not walk-in centres and patients will only be seen by a GP if they have booked an appointment.
  
A dedicated phone number has been set up for patients to call and book an out-of-hours GP appointment - 01922 501999. NHS 111 will also be able to book an appointment on a person’s behalf if they feel they the patient needs to see a GP.
 
Only patients registered with a Walsall GP are able to access out-of-hours appointments and patients are reminded that booking an extended access appointment may mean you are seen by a different GP and may require patients to travel, however medical records will be updated and available at your registered GP surgery within 24 hours.

For more information about all services available across Walsall, you can visit walsallccg.nhs.uk.