PATIENTS in Warrington are being asked for their views on plans to enhance access to GPs out-of-hours.

Changes to extended access services across the country have been proposed by NHS England.

Extended access offers bookable appointments for GP-led services later into the evening, at weekends and on bank holidays, with appointments available at extended access hubs. 

Currently, appointments are available at Bath Street Health and Wellbeing Centre in the town centre.

New proposals are considering the service moving from Bath Street and expanding to fixed location across Warrington for each day of the week, making the service more accessible for patients.   

The consultation will also take into consideration the extended hours service currently provided at Eric Moore Partnership.

Warrington’s primary care networks (PCN) are asking patients to consider whether proposed appointment times, days and locations are convenient.  

Dr Mike Northey, clinical director for the town’s Central East PCN, and Dr Michihiro Tomonaga, enhanced access clinical lead for Central West Warrington PCN, urged residents to have their say.

They said: “It is vital that we use local views to make sure our patients have access to the appropriate services at a location that suits their needs. 

“The changes we are proposing will provide a greater number of services and treatments at more locations across Warrington.

“This will give our patients more options when it comes to booking appointments with a clinician at a time that suits them.” 

The new service is currently being trialled at the proposed venues before the launch of the new service in October. 

In an extended access pilot patient survey run by GP practices, 97 per cent of respondents were either very satisfied or satisfied with the overall experience.

Meanwhile, 94 per cent said they would recommend the service to their friends and family, and 85 per cent said the location of the appointment was convenient. 

You can access the extended access service consultation and frequently asked questions by visiting haltonwarringtonccg.nhs.uk/how-we-listen-and-engage/how-we-listen-and-engage-in-warrington/engagement-consultations-and-involvement/enhanced-access-consultation-2022

The closing date for the consultation is Tuesday, July 26.