We need your views on evening and weekend GP appointments
Published on: 20th May 2022
We are seeking your views about the best times and locations for GP (doctor) and nurse appointments in the evenings and at weekends.
Appointments are currently provided through local GP networks in the evening and at weekends (not necessarily at your own GP practice) and can be booked by calling your own practice or 111.
We would like your views on these appointments that are available after 6.30pm Monday to Friday and on a Saturday and Sunday.
Why are we doing this?
Across the country the NHS has asked local practices to review the times to provide appointments at evenings and weekends. We want to capture information to support decision-making and make sure we are providing times, and locations that meet the needs of local people.
Our short survey will take no more than two minutes to complete and your answers will help us to provide the best possible times and locations for our evening and weekend GP services.
The survey is open until 12 June 2022.
Q&A
What changes are you planning to make?
At this stage we really don’t know – we currently provide weekend and Evening appointments from 6:30pm to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 8pm on the weekends in each borough. Provided by local GPs. We want to know if these times are still right for patients?
What are the proposed national changes?
Local GPs currently offer appointments seven days of the week, the new guidance does mean that appointments don’t have to be provided on a Sunday. We are not proposing we don’t offer a service on a Sunday, but we do want to understand what local people need.
I would like to be able to see a doctor, face-to-face - not over the phone?
All GP practices provide telephone and face-to-face appointments. This means we can see as many patients as possible each day. If you need to be seen face-to-face you will be invited into the surgery.
When will the changes happen?
Nationally the new changes to the way GP networks provide evening and weekend services will come into place in October.
Will my feedback really make a difference?
Yes, we want to ensure we are providing service times that work for local people. An update on how your feedback has been used will be added to this website.
