According to the latest figures 88 percent of GP practices in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland are now extending their opening hours in an effort to give patients more flexibility of when they can have an appointment.

NHS North of Tyne, working on behalf of Newcastle and North Tyneside PCTs and Northumberland Care Trust is already exceeding the Department of Health target which states 50 percent of GP practices must operate extended opening hours for patients by the end of the year.

Nationally over 69 percent of surgeries are now offering patients extended opening hours, says the Department of Health.

GP practices in the North of Tyne area are contracted by Newcastle or North Tyneside Primary Care Trusts or Northumberland Care Trust to provide primary care medical services to local people. As part of that contract, GP practices must open between the core hours of 8am and 6.30pm.

Now the majority of GP practices are opening longer hours — with some holding early morning sessions starting at 7am and evening sessions up to 8pm at night. Some practices are also opening on a Saturday morning.
An average sized GP practice is open an extra three hours a week with larger practices providing additional hours — some up to an extra six hours per week.

In Northumberland, 89 percent or 43 practices out of 48 practices in the County have extended their opening hours.

Patients should expect to see notices about extended opening on display in their practice and to be offered the opportunity to book appointments in the extended clinics. For details on extended hours being offered, patients should contact their own practice.

Dr Mike Guy, Medical Director of NHS North of Tyne, the commissioning organisation for Newcastle and North Tyneside Primary Care Trusts and Northumberland Care Trust, welcomed extended opening hours in GP practices.

He said: "When we are talking to the public about what changes they would like to see to improve health services, a very clear message is that they would like more choice over when they can visit their practice. These recent changes involving many of our practices across the North of Tyne area are providing greater flexibility. By opening earlier in the morning, later at night or at weekends, patients have more flexibility of when they can visit their GP.

"More practices are introducing extended access using a local payment scheme we have developed in partnership with GPs and we hope to encourage others to take this forward.

"Our GP services receive high satisfaction ratings from the public and recent surveys and public involvement activities have shown how people value extended opening hours of GP practices. We are constantly striving to improve services and this is good for patients that GPs are responding positively to this initiative."