With Christmas around the corner residents are being reminded that they can book non urgent evening and weekend appointments with a GP, advance nurse practitioner or health care assistant with the GP Extra service.

NHS South Sefton CCG is reminding residents that the GP extended access scheme operates seven days a week, 365 days a year, including bank holidays, this includes Christmas Day (Wednesday 25 December 2019), Boxing Day (Thursday 26 December 2019) and New Years’ Day (Wednesday 1 January 2020).

This service is offered to patients from all GP practices across south Sefton at Litherland Town Hall, Hatton Hill Road. To book an evening or weekend appointment you can simply call your GP practice as you would do normally, or if they are closed you can call 111.

Dr Craig Gillespie, chair of NHS South Sefton CCG, said: “We know from listening to our local residents that they sometimes find it difficult to book GP appointments, particularly at times to suit their busy lives. Our GP Extra service was introduced to reflect the needs of patients in today’s society, by not only increasing the availability of GP appointments, but also making these appointments available later in the evening and at the weekend.

Dr Gustavo Berni from South Sefton Primary Health Care and local GP, said: “Visiting a GP during typical working hours isn’t always possible for some people, due to work or other commitments, so the service allows patients to visit a GP up to 8pm on weekday evenings and from 10am – 1pm on Saturday and Sunday. Weekend times can vary during the year, so please check with your practice.”

More information is available here or via your own GP practice.