Southampton GPs ahead of the curve for flexible opening times
March 19th 2009
New NHS figures show that more and more GP surgeries in Southampton are opening in the evenings and at weekends, making it easier for people to see their doctor at a time convenient to them.
Last April, just 12% of GP practices across the country offered extended opening hours. Thanks to Labour's deal with doctors, the national average has now reached 72.5 per cent- but Southampton is even further ahead.
In Southampton, 30 GP surgeries out of a total of 36 now open for at least one extra three-hour evening or weekend session every week- a total of 83%.
Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test said:
"It is excellent news that more Southampton GPs are offering flexible hours than the national average. Every surgery offering flexible opening times makes a real difference to people with family, work or caring commitments who find it difficult to get to their doctor during normal working hours.
“The Government has listened to patients and made it easier for you to see your doctor when you need to. Illness isn't 9 to 5, so healthcare shouldn't be either."
Ben Bradshaw, Labour's health minister, said:
"In a modern NHS, ensuring busy patients have access to a GP at a convenient time is a top priority. Labour's deal with GPs to open for longer in the evenings and at weekends is now showing real results up and down the country.
“But the Tories would put these improvements in your NHS services under threat - they've promised to scrap this deal and let GPs go back to setting their own opening hours, so that access to your doctor could be cut back."
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