London first part of England to test evening and weekend consults to increase access to GPs

NHS London pointed out that although the public remains highly satisfied with general practice overall, patients have increasingly complained about poor access to services. This is why London is being tested as the first part of England to offer improved access to GP services, with expanded availability of evening, weekend and statutory holiday appointments. The service, funded by NHS England’s GP Forward View program, is available to anyone registered with a GP in London and will provide an additional 75,000 appointments every month with clinical staff such as GPs and nurses. NHS England claims these appointments will improve access to GP services and will manage pressures on urgent and emergency care services over the winter period.