GP voxpop: longer opening hours needed?

Heath Park by Cardiff University International Office

The debate over longer opening hours for GPs in the UK has hit the news in time for winter.

As colder weather approaches and brings a host of seasonal infections, Ministers are concerned that A&E departments will see the same overwhelming influx as last year.

It is believed that evening and weekend hours for local surgeries could reduce the pressure on A&E, as well as making appointments more accessible.

A medical professional from Cardiff said, “There is a demand for longer opening hours and the NHS need to provide that service. However, more staff would be needed and a financial incentive for working evenings and weekends.”

Cardiff residents were asked if they feel a demand longer GP opening hours and how it affects them personally.

Declan Clark, 21, credit consultant, Essex

“It’s only really when I have a sick day off work, then I just pop in and get an appointment. I’m not really aware of when the GPs are open because I don’t really use them. It’s just making emergency appointments I have to worry about.”

Lorraine Chatfield, 55, retail, Cardiff

“To be honest it doesn’t affect me because I can work around any time I need to go to the doctor. But I know, obviously, that there are people who need longer hours but I don’t feel a demand for it, not for myself.”

Emma Ackford, 26, investment consultant, Devon

“I work 6.30am to 6pm, which are fairly long hours. Being able to go after work, about 7pm, would be quite beneficial. Quite often I have to take the day off or I just won’t go and wait for it to sort itself out.”

Nigel Davies, 53, unemployed, Cardiff

“I don’t work so the actual opening hours aren’t a problem, but to actually get an appointment, you’re often looking at two weeks. I don’t know whether they are understaffed or have too many patients but, in the last couple of years, my surgery has gone downhill dramatically.”

Lisa Janik, 33, store manager, Cardiff Bay

“It doesn’t affect me because work is quite flexible with regards to that. I’ve got a young son who is three so they are quite flexible in my surgery, but I know that some people struggle particularly with getting emergency appointments in the morning, they can be quite hard.”

Nathan Furnell, 40, grocer, Cardiff

“They should be open on the weekends because some of us have got to work seven o’clock in the morning until seven o’clock at night. To get an appointment with a local GP is nigh on impossible. I have to pay privately to get to see a GP in my own town.”

Jordan Gilmur, 21, student, Cardiff

“When I needed to get the pill not long ago, there was no time I could have gone because of university and work. There’s no other way of going about it. I tried to ring and ask for a prescription and they just said no. A bit later in the evenings would be easier.”

Vivienne Ellis, 58, unemployed, Cardiff

“It’s crap, it’s absolute crap! Longer opening hours would make more room for appointments. If you start phoning at half past 8 and you’re being sick…that’s not going to happen. Plus the fact that you have to use your mobile phone which might cost you £5. It doesn’t work, not at all!”

docters surgery, GP, opening hours, Voxpops, winter