Patients in Hammersmith and Fulham will now be able to access GP services 7 days a week, thanks to a new service launched by NHS Hammersmith and Fulham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
The weekend opening service provides an alternative to A&E for people who need access to care at the weekend. Patients can see a GP, and it is hoped that this will help free up A&E departments for those with life threatening illnesses or injuries.
Five practices across the borough are offering the walk-in service on Saturdays and Sundays, and patients can see a GP without an appointment. They do not have to be registered with the practice, and using the service will not affect their registration with their own GP.
The practices that offer the service are:
Brook Green Medical Centre
Bute Gardens, London, W6 7EG
Cassidy Medical Centre
651a Fulham Road, London, SW6 5PX
Palace Surgery
510 Fulham Palace Road, London, SW6 6JD
Dr Jefferies and Partners, The Medical Centre
292 Munster Road, London, SW6 6BQ
Parkview Practice (Dr Canisius and Dr Hasan)
Cranston Court, 56 Bloemfontein Road, London W12 7FG
The practices are open between 9am and 4pm and patients wanting to book an appointment should call 03000 333 666.
The service has been introduced as part of NHS Hammersmith and Fulham CCG’s Out of Hospital Strategy, which aims to bring care closer to home and into a local, more familiar environment for the benefit of the patients.
Greg Hands, MP for Chelsea and Fulham, said: “People need be able to see their GP at a time that suits them and their family. When you or your loved ones need it, the NHS should be there for you. I’m therefore pleased at these new services launched by NHS Hammersmith and Fulham CCG.
“Furthermore, I welcome the Prime Minister's commitment that the next Conservative government will ensure everyone has access to a GP seven days a week by 2020. In addition, Health Ministers have also promised to support thousands more GP practices to stay open longer, giving millions of patients better access to their doctor.
“All of this is only possible because the Government has taken difficult decisions to reduce inefficient and ineffective spending elsewhere as part of a long-term economic plan. In my view you can't fund the NHS if you don't have a healthy, growing economy.”
Dr Susan McGoldrick, vice-chair of Hammersmith and Fulham CCG said: “Statistics show that many patients attend A&E when their GP practice is closed, even if they don’t have a life-threatening illness. These more minor illnesses can be treated by a pharmacist or GP. We are opening GP practices at weekends for all residents to use so they can see a GP on Saturday and Sunday by booking an appointment or simply going to the walk-in service offered by these practices. The clear message is that there are alternative services available, so please don’t go to an A&E unless you really need to.”