ALMOST a quarter of a million patients are now able to see a GP at weekends. 

A second-pilot offering Saturday and Sunday appointments is being launched in the Durham City, Derwentside and Chester-le-Street areas of County Durham.

The North Durham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which plans and purchases health services for 240,000 people is funding the six-month scheme.

One of the aims is to reduce the pressure on hospital accident and emergency departments During winter months when there is an increase in demand. All of the area’s 31 GP practices are taking part and patients can access a choice of pre-bookable appointments and urgent appointments booked on the day via the NHS 111 telephone number.

GPs will pool resources and some appointments will be with other doctors, Home visits are not included.

Dr Neil O’Brien, North Durham CCG Chief Clinical Officer, said: “Our patients have been telling us that they would find it really helpful to have weekend access to their GP practice and an initial pilot with 15 of our practices back in 2012-13 was really successful.

“With winter approaching and the A&E departments of our local hospitals experiencing very heavy demands, we hope that this scheme will provide people with an alternative that means our colleagues in the emergency departments can concentrate on more serious cases.”

Debra Hindson, of Belmont, Durham City, who took advantage of the previous weekend opening when her daughter was poorly: “The availability of an appointment to see our own GP on Saturday was amazing. “This service was critical in allowing us to prevent our daughter’s health deteriorating over the weekend and probably preventing a hospital admission."

For information about the scheme, visit your GP practice website.