Brighton GP surgeries urged to extend opening times

Date: 27/09/2011

GP surgeries in Brighton and Hove could benefit from purchasing additional 0300 numbers and expanding their opening times.

This is according to a survey that found a below average amount of patients living in the area were satisfied with practice hours, the Argus reports.

However, health officials claim a growing number of surgeries in Brighton are now open for longer and this figure is continuing to rise.

Across the region, 33 practices offer extended opening times of between one hour and eight hours per week, the news provider continued.

The study discovered that individuals were generally more satisfied if they were treated at one of these health centres.

There were concerns that people could be driven to use the accident and emergency department at Royal Sussex County Hospital if the situation at their local surgery does not improve.

New 0300 numbers could be the perfect choice for practices that do wish to extend their opening times, as they are reserved for organisations operating in public and charity sectors.