ALMOST 1,000 patients have used York’s new out-of-hours GP service since it was launched in October – and more than 95 per cent of those surveyed said they would recommend it to others.

The service is also being extended to patients in Tadcaster, with the town’s medical centre opening on Saturday mornings.

More than 250,000 patients in the York area have been able to visit or talk to a GP or other healthcare professional in the evening, at weekends and on bank holidays since the NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) awarded Nimbuscare Ltd - a group of five local GP practices in York and Pocklington - a contract to deliver a new extended access primary care service.

The non-urgent service, which is in addition to normal daytime appointments, has been available to patients at these practices: Haxby Group, Priory Medical Group, York Medical Group, East Parade, Old School, Front Street, Unity, My Health, Jorvik Gillygate, Pocklington, Elvington and Dalton Terrace.

It is based at four hub sites, Cornlands Road Medical Centre, Stonebow Surgery, Huntington Surgery and Pocklington Surgery.

A spokeswoman said initial feedback had been very positive, with the extra appointments especially welcomed by people who preferred to see a doctor outside normal working hours.

GP Dr Andrew Moriarty, who has worked evenings and weekends as part of the new service, said: “Lots of patients have said they’re really pleased to be able to come on Saturdays and Sundays as it fits in around their work.”

He added that he had also been enjoying flexible working and being able to work with other practices in the area.

The spokeswoman said more than 95 per cent of patients surveyed had said they would be likely or very likely to recommend the service to friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment.

She said one patient had commented: “It was brilliant I could get a later appointment out of working hours, thank you!”

Dr Mike Holmes, chair of Nimbuscare Ltd, said: “People in the York area said they found it difficult to get a GP appointment at a time to suit them, so this new service is about giving people a better choice of time and day.

“We will soon be introducing other options, such as video consultations where patients can speak to a doctor on a mobile device or computer.”

He added: “The trial will allow us to see if clinicians are happy with how it works and, at the same time, reassure us that this is what patients want.

“It is an exciting new initiative but it’s important to introduce this carefully to make sure it is right for everyone who uses it.”