Family doctors in Saturday changes

All GPs in Bexhill and Ninfield are taking part in the Saturday morning service, which starts on April 3.

A new national contract for GPs and their practices gives them the choice not to provide services out of hours - that is, between 6.30pm and 8am, all weekend and on Bank Holidays. Some practices have been holding emergencies-only surgeries on Saturday mornings.

The new service is being run as part of a national project to pilot new and improved ways of delivering care and treatment to patients when surgeries are closed.

Bexhill and Rother Primary Care Trust (PCT) is working with South East Kent and East Sussex Doctors on Call (SEADOC - the GPs' co-operative that currently provides 'out of hours' services), other primary care trusts, NHS Direct and other NHS organisations to develop new "out of hours" arrangements.

A PCT spokesman said that from April 3, people who think they need urgent medical advice on a Saturday morning should still call their surgery. If the call is not automatically transferred, there will be a recorded message giving the number to ring.

"People will be given appropriate advice and information, or may be invited to attend the new Saturday morning clinic between 8am-12 noon to see a GP. This clinic will be based at the Irvine Unit at Bexhill Hospital.

"While their surgeries will no longer be open on Saturday mornings, GPs will be working as part of a rota at the new clinic.

"People who have repeat prescriptions should collect these from their own surgery during normal surgery hours in the week.

"Alternatively, people can telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for advice and information before contacting the out of hours service."

Dr Peter Dewhurst, a local GP, a SEADOC medical manager and medical director of Bexhill and Rother Primary Care Trust, says: "This Saturday morning pilot is an initiative between local GPs, the well-established SEADOC GP co-operative, and the PCT.

""We have to prepare for practices choosing not to provide 'out of hours' services and find new ways to provide these services locally which meet the needs of local people.

"Importantly, this includes attracting more doctors and nurses to work here. By piloting this service, we hope it will make Bexhill more attractive by reducing some of the pressures on them. More doctors and nurses mean better services for patients.

"During this pilot, the views of patients it will be essential so please let us know what you think."

Comments on the new Saturday morning arrangements should be sent to:- Simon Lawrence, Director of Primary Care, Bexhill and Rother Primary Care Trust, Bexhill Hospital, Hollier Hill, Bexhill on Sea TN40 2DZ, email [email protected]

The Saturday morning pilot scheme applies to the following surgeries: - Albert Road and Sidley; Buckhurst Road and Pebsham; Old Town and Cooden Sea Road, Little Common; Sea Road; Terminus Road; and High Street, Ninfield.

The scheme that Bexhill and Rother Primary Care Trust is leading is one of only four national pilots, designed to modernise the care and treatment of patients out of hours.