GP surgeries respond to patient feedback

Company news

Dec 19, 2012

Two Newcastle NHS GP surgeries will be changing their opening hours in response to feedback from patients and the local community.

The Grainger Medical Group, which includes the Adelaide Medical Centre in Benwell and the Elswick Health Centre on Meldon Street, consulted people at an open event in November. Their views have helped shape the service which from Monday 31^st December will open earlier in the mornings, stay open later in the evenings, and open for the first time on Saturday mornings.

Care UK, which operates the GP practices on behalf of the NHS, took over the running of the service in September. It has begun tailoring it to the needs of local people to ensure they have access to high quality healthcare at a time that is convenient to them.

The Adelaide Medical Centre will open Monday to Thursday 8am – 7pm, Friday 8am – 6pm and Saturday 9am – 12.30pm. The Elswick Health Centre will open Monday to Friday 8am – 5.30pm.

Local people who are not registered with a GP can visit either centre and speak with a practice manager who will answer any questions and register them as new patients.

Teresa McKillop, service manager at the Grainger Medical Group, said: “We listened carefully to the views of our patients and their feedback has been invaluable in assisting us to shape this service to suit their needs. We offer a range of health services to the communities of Benwell and Elswick and our team is committed to providing a service which fits in with our patients busy lifestyles.”

For further information or general enquiries about the Grainger Medical Group visit www.graingermedicalgroup.nhs.uk or call 0333 321 8279.