PEOPLE living in parts of County Durham can access Saturday appointments at their GP practice until the end of March.

NHS Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is continuing to commission the scheme, originally introduced in November 2013, to improve patients' access to healthcare.

At the practices involved, patients will have a choice of appointments for Saturdays pre-booked with the GP practice, urgent appointments booked on Saturdays via NHS 111 and urgent walk in appointments on Saturdays.

It aims to improve access to GP services during weekends and reduce the pressure on hospital A&E departments, allowing them to concentrate on more urgent cases.

Dr Stewart Findlay, chief clinical officer from Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield CCG said: “We are committed to increasing patient access to GP appointments outside current contracted hours with a view to improving patient satisfaction with opening hours whilst maintaining standards of access and availability during core practice hours.

“There is evidence to show that continuity of care from GPs reduces the likelihood of emergency admissions to hospital.

“The scheme has proven to be very popular and has been successful in alleviating pressure on our local emergency departments by providing a convenient alternative for patients.”

For details on the practices taking part in the scheme, visit durhamdaleseasingtonsedgefieldccg.nhs.uk

The surgeries involved are: Bewick Crescent Surgery, Newton Aycliffe, every Saturday, between 8am and noon; Dr Jones & Partners, Sedgefield, covering Trimdons/Fishburn, Harbinson House, Front Street, Sedgefield, every Saturday, between 8am and noon; Dr Oakenfull, The Surgery , Durham Road, Ferryhill, every Saturday, between 8am and noon; Jubilee Medical Group, Cobblers Hall Surgery, Carer's Way, Newton Aycliffe, every Saturday, between 8am and noon; Hallgarth Shildon, Cheapside, every Saturday, between 9am and noon; Peaseway Medical Centre, Newton Aycliffe, every Saturday, between 8am and noon; St Andrews Medical Practice, Adan House, St Andrew's Lane, Spennymoor, every Saturday, between 8am and noon;

Peterlee Health Centre, Bede Way, Peterlee (covering Station Road, Caradoc Surgery, Horden Practice, Shinwell Medical Practice, Jupiter House, Shotton Practice, South Dene, South Hetton), every Saturday, between 8am and noon; Blackhall Practice, at Blackhall Community Health Centre, Hesleden Road, every Saturday, between 8am and 1pm; Seaham Primary Care Centre, St John's Square, Seaham (covering Deneside (Dr Kapoor), Murton Practice, Marlborough Practice, New Seaham, Dr Reddy) every Saturday, between 8am and noon; Healthworks, Paradise Lane, Easington Colliery (every Saturday and Sunday, between 8am and 8pm, and William Brown Centre, Manor Way, Peterlee (every Saturday, between 8am and 1pm), (jointly covering Wingate Medical Centre, West Cornforth Medical Centre, Easington & Peterlee Medical Group ); Bishopgate Medical Practice and Evenwood Surgery, open at Bishopgate Medical Centre, 178 Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, every Saturday, between 8am and 1pm; Auckland Medical Group, Cockton Hill Surgery, 54 Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland, every Saturday, between 8am and 1pm; Station View Medical Centre, Bishop Auckland Surgery, 29A Escomb Road, every Saturday, between 8am and 1pm; Stanhope Health Centre, Dales Street, every Saturday, between 8am and 1pm; North House Surgery, Hope Street, Crook, every Saturday, between 8am and 1pm.