Recently practices have been encouraged to open for longer to provide extra routine appointments. It was hoped that this would give patients better access to the care they require. Whilst some local practices now offer a few booked appointments outside the core hours we have decided not to do so for fear that this would be to the determent of access to services during normal opening hours.

We are pleased to report that this approach seems to have been vindicated as latest figures (from an independent patient satisfaction survey) rank us third among fourteen local practices for ease of access to appointments*.

For full details of all practices in Nottinghamshire tPCT results see here.

Most appointments are needed by elderly people, small children and patients with long term conditions. These patients require a high level of service during the day. We believe it is a fundamental value of the NHS that those who need the care most are most able to access a GP and support services. We remain convinced that longer, under resourced opening hours will adversely effect the care we can offer our patients.

We understand that many patients have to work and sometimes may struggle to get an appointment time that fits in with work and other commitments. However we work hard to ensure that those who need appointments have ready access to one - usually on the same day if required. 

At the moment we we are confident that this is the best approach. Let us know what you think.

(*figures averaged for telephone consultations, appointments bookable within 2 days, ability to book appointments more than 2 days in advance and ability to see your GP of choice.)