Walsall residents will benefit from additional GP appointments over the Christmas period and during the winter months.

NHS Walsall Clinical Commissioning Group has worked with local GPs to create a pilot scheme, which will see out-of-hour GP appointments available at three Hubs based at Darlaston Health Centre in Darlaston, Pinfold Health Centre in Bloxwich and Broadway Medical Practice on the Broadway.
 
The out-of hours GP appointments will be available between 6:30pm and 9:00pm on weekdays, 10:00am and 3pm at the weekend and 11:00am to 1:00pm on Bank Holidays (including Christmas Day).

The service is for patients who have a pressing illness or injury or are unable to attend their GP during normal opening hours. However, the Hubs are not walk-in centres and patients will only be seen by a GP if they have booked an appointment.
 
A dedicated phone number has been set up for people to call to book an out-of-hours GP appointment. To book an appointment patients should call 01922 501999 between 8:00am and 9:00pm on weekdays, 10:00am and 3:00pm at weekends and 11:00am and 1:00pm during Bank Holidays

NHS 111 will also be able to book an appointment on a person’s behalf if they feel they the patient needs to see a GP. Dr Anand Rischie, Chair of NHS Walsall CCG said:

“We understand that it can be difficult to get a GP appointment during the winter months, especially over the Christmas period. To help our patients Walsall GPs have worked together to create this pilot scheme, which will help reduce those pressures.
 
“It is also important that patients understand this service is available through appointments only and that our Urgent Care Centres and A&E Department will be open as normal for people with serious or life threatening  emergencies.”
 
The pilot scheme launches on Saturday, December 23 2017 and will run until April 2018. Only patients registered with a Walsall GP will be able to access these out-of-hours appointments. People who are not registered in Walsall can access other available health services.

For more information about all services available across Walsall visit walsallccg.nhs.uk. 
 
Booking an extended access appointment may mean you are seen by a different GP and it may be at a different practice, however your records will be updated and available for your registered GP to view within 24 hours.