LEIGH residents will soon be able to get GP appointments seven days a week under new government plans.

Patients will be able to book appointments for evenings and weekends for up to 12 hours a day, later this year, in a bid to relieve pressure on hospitals and give working people access to a doctor at weekends.

Dr Tim Dalton, GP and Chair of NHS Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group spoke exclusively to the Leigh Journal about what the new plans mean for Leigh.

He said: "NHS Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is working with GPs in Leigh to provide appointments seven days a week later this year.

"The proposal is at a very early stage and is still under discussion with GPs but it is likely to involve a drop-in service at a small number of GP Practices over weekends and some evenings.

"You may not be able to always see your local GP at your practice at weekends, but you will be able to visit a fully qualified local GP who, with your permission, will have access to your medical history and be able to diagnose your health problem and prescribe medication if necessary.

"We anticipate that this new weekend GP service will be particularly helpful for people who find it difficult to get away from work during the week and that it will also help people with long term health issues to better manage their health conditions and reduce the need for them to make repeated visits to A&E.

"We are also developing Integrated Neighbourhood Teams which consist of a GP or senior clinician, a Community Matron and a District Nurse who will help people manage and control their health conditions so they need fewer visits to a GP or to A&E.

"This series of measures should help keep people in better health and avoid their health conditions deteriorating to the extent that they need repeated emergency hospital admissions.

If you have any questions or have comments about seven day GP working please contact the ‘Talk to Us’ team at NHS Wigan Borough CCG on 01942 482711, or email talktous@wiganboroughccg.nhs.uk”