Until 31 March 2018 you can access appointments in the evening until 8pm on weekdays and on a Saturday if you are registered at a practice in the Bridgwater or surrounding area.
In the Bridgwater and surrounding area the following practices are currently involved in this scheme:
Cannington Health Centre Quantock Medical Centre
Cranleigh Gardens Medical Centre Redgate Medical Centre
East Quay Medical Centre Somerset Bridge Medical Centre
North Petherton Surgery Taunton Road Medical Centre
Polden Medical Practice Victoria Park Medical Centre
How do I book an appointment?
To book an evening or weekend appointment please contact your registered practice during normal opening times and they will be able to advise you at which GP practice an appointment is available to suit your needs.
Appointment types will vary, some being face to face and some on the ‘phone and there will be a mixture of pre-bookable and same day appointments available across the week.
Our appointments are available one Saturday morning a month and every Tuesday and Wednesday evening.
Health staff at these appointments will have access to your medical records (only if you consent for your records to be shared).
The service is for anyone who is booking an appointment to discuss a routine problem with their doctor or practice nurse. If you don’t want to visit a different surgery then you don’t have to – it’s entirely up to you.
What are the benefits of the service?
Many practices already offer appointments in evenings and at weekends. What is new here is that practices are working in groups to offer more appointments at more flexible times which should make it easier for patients to see a doctor or nurse.
But won’t the doctor need access to my patient record?
In order for this service to work, the doctors and nurses need access to your patient record. Your practice has signed a local Data Sharing Agreement (not linked to any national data sharing agreement) to allow this to happen, but you can opt out at any time.
For more information about the Improved Access pilot scheme please see the attached Improved Access – Frequently Asked Questions or speak to your registered practice.
Please note that this service runs until 31 March 2018 – after which the current funding ceases and we will not be able to provide these appointments