Press Release

 Press release

Tuesday 14 October 2008

For immediate use

 Stoke-on-Trent GP’s Offer Extended Opening Hours in Record Time

It was announced today that GP’s in Stoke-on-Trent have achieved the target of offering evening and weekend opening hours 3 months ahead of schedule.  The Government had committed to ensure that at least 50% of GP surgeries offer extended hours by the end of the year but figures out today reveal that in Stoke-on-Trent 58% of GP’s already do so.   

Local MP Joan Walley hailed the achievement, “this is great news for everyone in the city.  It is absolutely right that people should be able to see their doctor whenever they require and should not be forced to take time off work.  This is a key commitment and will do much to reduce health inequalities in the city.” 

Secretary of State for Health Alan Johnson MP added “In a modern NHS, ensuring that busy patients have access to a GP at a convenient time is a top priority. I am extremely pleased to announce that so many practices are now offering greater flexibility in their opening hours.  Thanks to the hard work of GPs and the local NHS we have achieved our challenging target ahead of schedule”

ENDS

Editor's notes:

1. In March 2008, 92 per cent of GPs voted to back a deal agreed between the British Medical Association and the Labour Government to provide additional evening and weekend opening.

2. The agreement will mean that by 2009 the majority of GP surgeries will provide at least one three-hour evening or weekend session each week.

• Thanks to this recent deal, access to GPs is improving rapidly:
• In May 2008, just 20 per cent of GP practices offered extended hours;
• Labour has now hit the target of 50 per cent of GPs offering extended hours before the end of the year.