Member Article

New out-of-hours GP service launched

Two GPs in Newcastle have teamed up to establish an out-of-hours medical service to meet the needs of people who have difficulty visiting the doctors during the working day. Drs David Grainger and David Jones launched Beyond General Practice (BGP) at the end of September. The service, which is charged at £29.50 per month for individuals, provides evening and weekend appointments and a night call-out service which gets straight through to the GP, who will visit within the hour – if necessary.

The two Davids are adamant that however successful BGP may become, they will remain in General Practice, which they see as the bedrock of the National Health Service. Dr Grainger said: “With all the pressure at work these days, it’s often difficult for people to take time out to see their GP – you’re busy, they’re busy. Even getting through to the surgery and making the appointment can take a while. What people want is to be able to book an appointment easily and for a convenient time. That’s why we provide evening and Saturday appointments, which can be booked up to four weeks in advance. And our consultations are 50% longer than standard NHS appointments, so patients won’t feel hurried.”

If BGP takes off, the doctors have pledged to put up to 5% of net profits back into local community related health projects. The area covered includes Newcastle and Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, spreading north and west to take in Morpeth, Ashington and Ponteland and south west to include Chester-le-Street and Washington, Hexham and Tynedale. Although the corporate market will be the first to be targeted when the service launches in earnest on 1st March 2007, it is open to anyone who wishes to subscribe. To find out more visit www.beyondgeneralpractice.com or call 0845 609 5938.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .