These are now offered via the 111 service (see our website for details). Whilst increasing the flexibility and range of hours available to patients, there has been a knock on consequence to the surgery of not being able to find locum GPs to cover annual leave, as they now often work for the extended hours providers instead! This means we are stretched even further.
There are not enough GPs in country. Extending available hours is spreading the short supply of GPs more thinly.
Please consider using other options like self-management advice from NHS online, seeing a pharmacist, or even eConsult, as ways to alleviate the pressure.
Many thanks.
