Patients will now have even better access to a doctor at the weekends and in the evenings. Neighborhood Access Hubs developed by Principal Medical Limited on behalf of Oxfordshire practices in 2015, will have their opening hours extended so that yet more patients can benefit.
This is great news for the 3000,000+ patients registered with the 36 PML GP Federation practices in the county.
There will be some changes to the locations and opening times of the Neighbourhood Access Hubs but the aims of the service remain the same: patients needing a booked routine or same-day urgent GP appointment at their own practice, may be offered an appointment at a nearby practice, with a local GP or nurse who has access to their medical records.
This provides more appointments for patients needing same-day care while relieving GP practices of some of the pressure of providing treatment for minor illnesses.
Releasing more time at the Surgery means that we will be able to put more focus into
preventative care, offering longer appointments and concentrated treatment for patients with long-term conditions and complex needs.
The Neighbourhood Access Hubs will always have a GP on duty and provide an extended hours service (the number of hours will vary according to population and need).
Read more about the Neighbourhood Access Hubs
The Primary Care Visiting Service PML will also continue providing the Primary Care Visiting Service where Emergency Care Practitioners (such as, paramedics) do urgent same-day home visits. This service will continue operating from Monday to Friday 9:00am to 6:00pm.
This service aims to provide timely visits rather than patients having to wait until the GP have finished his/her appointment session.
The Emergency Clinical Practitioner is able to identify early support before a condition deteriorates and s/he needs to be admitted to hospital.
Home visits are for the elderly and housebound, patients in care and nursing homes, and those in rural areas.