Accessing out of hours appointments at your GP surgery (Enhanced Access)

GP practices across Benfleet Primary Care Network are working together to provide the right services at a time which is convenient for you. We’ve listened to feedback from people in our local area, and we are making changes to our out of hours appointments to deliver better services for you.

The new way of delivering out of hours appointments will give you:

• Access to more healthcare professionals. This new service will be delivered by professionals including GPs, nurses (advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs), healthcare assistants (HCAs), practice nurses), first contact physiotherapists (FCPs) and pharmacists.
• More choice about the type of appointment you want. These include a mixture of in person face to face appointments and remote telephone appointments.
• Make it more convenient for you to travel to out of hours appointments. These appointments are being planned and delivered locally at both Rushbottom Lane Surgery and The Hollies Surgery.

When we asked local people what you wanted from these appointments you told us you wanted additional GP and Nurse appointments on weekday evenings and weekends. In response we have an additional 15.5 hours of GP appointments and 10.95 hours of nurse appointments available each week (subject to bank holidays and time to learn afternoons).

NEW: Women’s Health Hub

In late 2024 we launched our new Women’s Health Hub, available to all women in Benfleet registered at one of our seven GP practices.

What women’s health services are available?

Our women’s health service is delivered by a women’s health nurse specialist, and include:

• Fitting, removal and replacement of intrauterine devices (IUD or “copper coil”) and intrauterine systems (IUS or hormonal coil, such as Mirena).
• Fitting and removal of the contraceptive implant (e.g. Nexplanon)
• Coming soon: Fitting, replacement and removal of vaginal pessaries

When and where will appointments be?

The hub is delivered as part of the out of hours service on selected Saturdays at Rushbottom Lane Surgery. Appointments will be available between 9am and 1.30pm.

How do I access the women’s health hub?

To access the service, contact your regular GP practice to be added to the access list, or email us at benfleetpcn@nhs.net. Once we have your details on the access list, we will contact you to arrange an appointment when we have suitable availability.

Out of hours appointments were previously planned by Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) on behalf of many GP practices in a bigger area. From Saturday 1 October 2022, this is now being planned and delivered locally by Primary Care Networks (PCNs).