GP and nurse appointments are now availableduring the evening and at the weekend for people across Coastal West Sussex via GP Access Hubs.

This means that urgent appointments are available up to 8pm during the week, and during clinics on a Saturday and Sunday.

This aims to improve access to GP appointments and help local people to get the help and support they need.

The service is run by Innovations in Primary Care (IPC), a not-for-profit company owned by local GP practices.

The appointments will be available at local GP Access Hubs, run from GP surgeries, and they will be both routine and urgent appointments with a doctor, nurse or healthcare professional.

The teams will see new illnesses when you urgently need to see a health professional, and offer planned appointments for patients who meet the following criteria:  you have a new problem of less than four weeks duration; you have not seen a healthcare professional for this problem before and the problem is not related to pregnancy or mental health.

Nurse appointments will be available for:  Dressings, Smears, Family Planning and Chronic Condition reviews including asthma, diabetes and COPD.

IPC has been running the MIAMI clinics in Adur and Worthing for the last three years, which has offered a very similar service, offering help for ‘Minor Injury Assessment & Minor Illnesses’.

These clinics have been successful and helped local people to access the help they need outside of normal opening times.

The hubs may be at your GP practice or they may be at a neighbouring GP practice locally in the community around you.

The teams will have access to your medical records with your consent, and any care they provide will be added to your notes so your GP practice can continue any ongoing care.

Patients can book into these appointments via the GP Access Hubs by calling your registered GP practice in the normal way on 01903 875900.  We will be able to access the booking system and make sure you receive the help and support you need.