As part of the Government’s ambitions for a seven day NHS, Bloxwich, Willenhall and Walsall North residents are being encouraged to use a new service that allows them to book GP appointments during the weekend. I welcome this change. *
The appointments are part of a programme launched by NHS Walsall Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to make it easier for patients to see a GP outside of their surgery’s normal hours.
Since the scheme was launched in December 2017 there has been an increased demand for the appointments, which are based at three Hubs across Walsall. The locations are Darlaston Health Centre, Pinfold Health Centre in Bloxwich and Broadway Medical Practice.
The extra GP appointments are available at weekends between 10am and 3pm. Urgent GP appointments are for patients who have a pressing illness or injury or are unable to attend their GP during normal opening hours.
The Hubs are not walk-in centres and patients will only be seen by a GP if they have booked an appointment.
A dedicated phone number has been set up for patients to call and book an out-of-hours GP appointment. To book an appointment call 01922 501999 during the following times:
8am – 9pm weekdays
10am – 3pm weekends
11am – 1pm Bank Holidays
NHS 111 will also be able to book an appointment on a person’s behalf if they feel they the patient needs to see a GP.
Urgent GP appointments are also available on weekday evenings between 6.30pm and 9pm and during bank holidays between 11am and 1pm.
Only patients registered with a Walsall GP will be able to access these out-of-hours appointments. People who are not registered in Walsall can access other available health services.