Extended Access

Increasing the availability of appointments to patients was a key aim of the 2016 NHS General Practice Forward View.

The report acknowledged this was a point of frustration for patients – both in terms of quantity and timing of appointments – and was in part responsible for a decline in overall patient satisfaction.

The solution was a new model for out of hours care, with new services developed and commissions.

In Durham Dales, this has led to the introduction of two similar but separately commissioned services, both of which we deliver on behalf of our 12 member GP practices.

The two individual services are Extended Primary Care Access (EPCA) and Extended Hours Access, part of the Primary Care Network (PCN) agreement.

Our EPCA service provides same day appointments between 6pm and 8pm during the week, plus weekend mornings. Patients access appointments by calling 111 and will be triaged into an available slot, if required. We also offer an overflow service if people need same day treatment but can’t be seen in their practice.

Extended Hours Access offers pre-bookable appointments outside of standard hours, also fulfilled by our hub in Bishop Auckland. Slots can be booked through local practices, or by calling 111 outside of normal opening hours.

Both services use a triage system and do not offer walk in appointments. 

This means that every appointment is someone who needs to be seen, while those who don’t can be directed to more appropriate services such as pharmacists or self-care options.