Enhanced Hours

 

Effective from Saturday 1st October, General Practice is required to deliver a range of primary care services between 6.30pm – 8.00pm on weekdays and 9.00am – 5.00pm on Saturdays with some local discretion allowed. This is a compulsory change to the national primary care contract.

Wells Park Practice, Sydenham Green Group Practice, The Vale Medical Centre, and Woolstone Medical Centre must work together to deliver these services under our network, known as Aplos Health Primary Care Network.

For more information on Primary Care Networks please follow this link

This new service will be available to registered patients at the aforementioned practices. It is important to us that we provide an accessible service that meets our patient needs and still supports resourcing for our core opening times. Over the past few months we have carefully shaped this service in line with the patient feedback we received and have had our plans approved by our local commissioners.

Important Additional Information

  • Appointment times during the enhanced hours must be pre-booked, walk-ins will not be permitted.
  • You may see a clinician who works in a practice different to the practice you are registered at but within the network practices.
  • Your appointment may be booked at a practice that is different to your registered practice.
  • Clinicians will have access to your electronic patient records and will be able to consult as you would expect in your registered practice (if this is not possible you will be advised accordingly). Standard data protection and confidentiality policies are in place.
  • Reception will be open during the enhanced access times to check patients in for appointments only, please attend your usual practice for administrative and medical queries.
 

How To Book An Appointment

Please contact your registered practice to make any appointments. We strongly recommend where possible, that appointments are booked online or using the Ask First app to reduce the telephone waiting times and give access to telephone support to those who really need it.

When booking your appointment please make note of the appointment method e.g. telephone or video and which practice you need to visit if your appointment is face to face.

Enhanced Schedule Monday to Friday

Monday

Wells Park Practice:

  • 7.00am – 8.00am: GP Face to face appointments and Phlebotomy (blood clinic)
  • 6.30pm – 8.00pm: Face to face and telephone appointments with various clinicians e.g. GP/ Nurse/ Health Care Assistants

Tuesday

Remote:

  • 7.00am – 8.00am: GP appointments via telephone or video

Woolstone Medical Centre:

  • 6.30pm - 8.00pm: Face to face and telephone appointments with various clinicians e.g. GP/ Nurse/ Health Care Assistants

Wednesday

Remote:

  • 7.00am – 8.00am: GP appointments via telephone or video

Sydenham Green Group Practice:

  • 6.30pm – 8.00pm: Face to face and telephone appointments with various clinicians e.g. GP/ Nurse/ Health Care Assistants

Thursday

Vale Medical Centre:

  • 6.30pm – 8.00pm: Face to face and telephone appointments with various clinicians e.g. GP/ Nurse/ Health Care Assistants

Friday

Remote:

  • 6.30pm – 8.00pm: GP appointments via telephone or video

Saturday Hub At Sydenham Green Group Practice

On Saturday mornings from 1st October, we will have a hub located at Sydenham Green Group Practice which will be available to all patients registered at our four practices.

  • 9.00am – 1.00pm: Face-to-face appointment with various clinicians e.g. GP/ Nurse/ Health Care Assistants
  • 6.30pm – 8.00pm: Remote GP appointments via telephone or video

To book a Saturday appointment please contact your own registered practice or where possible book online or using the Ask First app.

Clinical Services Available During Enhanced Access

Available services include:

  • Routine GP appointments
  • Urgent GP appointments (same day)
  • Routine Nursing appointments e.g. injections, wound dressings
  • NHS Healthchecks
  • Diabetic Foot checks
  • Child Immunisations
  • Phlebotomy / bloods
  • Cervical Screening / Smear Tests
  • Contraception advice and Implant/Coil fitting
  • Medication reviews

The services available are subject to change by the primary care network/GP practices based on demand and resources.

Do You Have Any Questions About Enhanced Access?

To keep up to date with the latest news on extended access please revisit this website, any changes or important information will be posted here and on your practice website.

If you have any general questions about extended access please contact your practice in the first instance. Please note our administrative team unable to help book appointments or deal with medical queries.

If you require further information on Primary Care Networks, you may also wish to read the information provided on the Aplos Health Primary Care Network website or by visiting the NHS England website

Published: Oct 1, 2022