Patients in Winchester, Andover and surrounding villages will now be able to see a GP, Nurse and Healthcare assistant in the evenings and at weekends, thanks to a new service launched by Steve Brine today.
The new Winchester hub at Badger Farm Surgery will officially start on Monday 2 October 2017.
The Winchester Primary Care Hub is open from 5-8pm on weekdays, 8am - 4pm on Saturdays and 8am -12noon on Sundays.
The Andover hub will be based at the War Memorial Hospital (next to the Minor Injuries Unit) and will be open from 5-8pm on weekdays, and 8am-12noon on both Saturdays and Sundays.
The new hubs have been funded by NHS West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and will be run by the local GP Federation, Mid Hampshire Healthcare.
CCG Chief Officer, Heather Hauschild said: "We know it's not always easy for people to get to see their GP during normal working hours, so this new service gives flexibility and allows people to see a GP at a time that is convenient to them.
"We hope these GP hubs will make patients' lives easier and ensure that people receive the care they need at a time that suits them."
Patients can book a routine appointment by ringing their own GP surgery. Urgent appointments at the hub will be booked by the out of hours GP service via NHS 111 when GP surgeries are closed.
All clinicians at the hubs will have full access to the patient's electronic primary care records as long as the patient has given their consent when they book their appointment.
Dr Ben Inglis (Clinical Director) at Mid Hampshire Healthcare added: "We are all really looking forward to providing this excellent new service for local people. We welcome the interest from our MP, Steve Brine, for him to learn more about the service and to open it officially."
Steve Brine, who is also the Minister for Primary Care at the Department of Health said; "We have made clear we want to see 100% of the country being able to access GP appointments in evenings and at weekends by April 2019 so this new extended access hub is exactly right. Many congratulations to local GPs across the area who have come together to ensure appointments are there to meet local demand. This will be an important part of the local health economy and should be welcomed by patients, GPs as well as those working in secondary care at our hospitals."
Pictured; Steve with Doctors working through the hub and Dr Sarah Schofield from West Hampshire CCG.
More information ...
