Need to see a GP or nurse over the festive holidays?

More than two million North West London residents are benefit ting from improved GP services , with extra appointments being made available over Christmas and New Year including 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January.

In addition to normal opening times, GPs and nurses are o ffer ing patients appointments in the evening, on weekends and bank holidays.

A dditional a ppointments are being made available at the following times in:

Residents can book these additional appointments by calling their GP practice or NHS 111 when their own practice is closed. Appointments are accessible either at residents own GP practice or a nearby local health centre .

This is really exciting for North West London residents as they can make appointment s with a GP or nurse at a time and in a place that is convenient for them seven days a week.

As well as improving GP services, this new offering is set to improve :

Dr Neville Purssell , Clinical Lead for primary care, North West London Collaboration of Clinical C ommissioning G roups said: “ Our aim is to ensure that individuals such as carers, parents and people with work c ommitments have faster access to a GP or nurse, more hours a day. Timely access to GP services is a top concern when p eople are asked about the NHS. Offering evening, weekend and bank holiday appointments helps to tackle this issue. It is hoped that these additional GP appointments will also help to relieve pressure on hospital emergency departments and Urgent Care Centres (UCCs) as well as provide more convenient access to routine general practice for patients.”

UCCs and A&E departments will soon be able to direct patients to the service at the weekends, where clinically appropriate. Work is underway to enable UCCs to directly book appointments for people who do not require emergency care.

For more information or to book an appointment with a GP or nurse p lease contact your local GP practice or call NHS 111.