DOCTORS surgeries are to offer out-of-hours appointments during the next few months in a bid to ease the pressure on the NHS this winter.

A new scheme will see 20 of the 25 GP practices across Castle Point and Rochford offering an extended service. Pre-booked GP appointments will be available on weekdays from 7pm until 9pm until the end of March 2017.

The appointments will be held at two bases - the Audley Mill surgery in Eastwood Road, Rayleigh and The Surgery in Hawkesbury, Canvey.

Residents across the districts of Castle Point and Rochford can ask their GP practice for details about how to book an appointment.

Dr Peter Long, local GP and chair of GP Healthcare Alliance, said: “As well as the existing service, which allows patients to book weekend GP and practice nurse appointments, additional appointments will now be available in the evenings.

“It’s important to note that this is not a walk-in service and people will need to book appointments.

“For all non-emergency healthcare advice, patients should call NHS 111 and remember that A&E is for life-threatening conditions only.”

This is not the first time the CCG has offered the extended hours appointments but this is the first time it has been available until late March.

Rochford District Council’s member responsible for community June Lumley said: “This is fantastic news for the local residents of Castle Point and Rochford to have these additional appointment slots.

“This should help take the pressure off the accident and emergency departments which are under tremendous pressure at the moment.

“Often people go to A&E if they can’t get a doctors’ appointment even if it is not urgent so these out-of-hours options should help with that problem.

“It is also fantastic that doctors are willing to re-allocate their time to benefit the community in this way.”

Southend GP Dr Vel, who works in the Valkyrie Surgery in Westcliff, said: “I have heard the idea floated around the Southend CCG but I am not sure if it is actually happening here yet.

“However, I applaud whoever came up with this idea because it is fantastic. GPs should extend the service hours to the long suffering public. This is a very good thing.

“More GP hours are needed at surgeries in the community to help the struggling, over-burdened NHS. I have no doubt that this will help ease the pressure during the day.”

Chris Fynes, a teacher from Victoria Road in Southend feels these hours will help with those who work.

The 29-year-old said: “As a teacher, I do find it really difficult to find the time to make a doctors’ appointment because of the hours we work so for me, this seems like a really good idea and I would welcome it in Southend.

“Obviously, the NHS is under so much pressure that GP surgeries are struggling to cope with demands during the normal hours and so that must be why they have had to offer additional appointments.”

Out of Hours GP services can be accessed by ringing 111. For more information, make enquiries at your local GP surgery.