Additional evening and weekend appointments at convenient locations
Patients across South Warwickshire will be able to book additional evening and weekend appointments at convenient locations, thanks to South Warwickshire GP Federation (SWGP) opening four new hubs via its GP+ service.
The expansion follows the popular take-up of extended access appointments with GPs, nurses and pharmacists at GP+ Hubs in Stratford-upon-Avon and Leamington Spa, which opened in September 2018.
New hubs at the Castle Medical Centre in Kenilworth and Southam Surgery in Southam opened on 4 February 2019. A further two hubs will open on 11 March 2019 at Hastings House in Wellesbourne and Alcester Primary Care Centre in Alcester, bringing the total number of hubs up to six.
Tim Morris, Managing Director of SWGP, said: “In response to demand for the GP+ service, we are delighted to be opening an additional four hubs in the area. We know that people are busy. Offering appointments at additional locations outside of normal working hours, should make it even easier for patients to book routine appointments to see a GP, nurse or pharmacist.
“Offering more convenient appointments should help make it easier for patients to look after their health, whether that’s for a specific illness, health screenings or a routine check-up. Patients can also book a GP+ appointment with a pharmacist for a medication review – something that they do not have to see their regular GP for.”
Regardless of which South Warwickshire GP practice a patient belongs to, they will be able to access services at all six hubs. Patients can book a face-to-face or telephone appointment at their preferred hub by calling the medical practice they are registered with. NHS 111 can also book GP+ appointments for patients if the 111 adviser feels that an appointment with a GP is needed. Opening hours vary across the hubs and patients can check opening times by contacting their GP practice.
GP+ clinicians will have access to patient records, so that the patient’s full medical history is known and records can be updated regardless of when or where patients are seen (subject to patient consent).
South Warwickshire GP+ is commissioned by South Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group and is being delivered by SWGP in partnership with Care UK and the South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust.
Find out more about our GP+ service.
Background information:
South Warwickshire GP Federation (SWGP) is made up of GP practices across South Warwickshire.
The existing Out of Hours Service provided by Care UK will continue and patients will be able to choose which service to use, although it is likely out of hours will be used for more acute needs.
A service delivery board, which includes patient and practice representatives, supports the extended access programme. Hub locations were agreed following a robust assessment, supported and ratified by the Local Medical Council, patients and Clinical Commissioning Groups.