PATIENTS across Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield have been reminded to "Talk before you Walk" when in need of care when their GP practice is closed.

By phoning 111, patients who need to be seen urgently on the same day will be offered an appointment with a healthcare professional either at their own GP surgery or at another nearby Primary Care Service hub.

Primary Care Services are available in Stanhope, Barnard Castle, Spennymoor, Newton Aycliffe, Sedgefield, Peterlee, Seaham, Easington and Bishop Auckland.

People must book an appointment first: it is not a walk in service. Appointments are available until 8pm on weekdays and 8am to 1pm on weekends and Bank Holidays. People should call 999 only when it is a life threatening emergency.

Patients will be directed to the most appropriate service for their particular health care need and to a hub that ensures that they see the most appropriate healthcare professional.

Patients could be seen by a GP, nurse/ practitioner, or another health care professional within the service. This means that, depending on the nature of their healthcare need, they may not be seen at the PCS site closest to their home but every effort will be made to arrange an appointment that is convenient to them.

Sarah Burns, Director of Commissioning from NHS DDES CCG, said: “It is vitally important to use the NHS wisely so everyone can access the most appropriate care.

“Patients should always contact their own GP practice as their first port of call, but when their practice is closed if they call 111 for free they will be seen by the right healthcare professional, as close to their home as possible.

“Please remember to Talk before you Walk – dial 111 first as you must have an appointment to be seen in one of the primary care service/ hubs across the Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield area.”