GP practices will remain open over the VE Day Bank Holiday
Patients across Tees Valley will be able to access their GP practice, as usual, on Friday, May, 8.
The change to traditional bank holiday opening hours comes as GPs across the country continue to help alleviate the growing pressures on out-of-hours services.
David Gallagher, chief officer for NHS Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “Given the unprecedented situation we are in, GP practices across Tees Valley will remain available on VE Day for queries and appointments.”
All Tees Valley practices are now using telephone triage, on-line consultations and in some cases video consultations, with patients still being asked NOT to go into their GP surgery for any reason before speaking to their practice and a need for a face-to-face appointment being agreed.
Health advice is also available to patients by completing an online (eConsult) form on their local practice website.
Dr Janet Walker, medical director of NHS Tees Valley CCG, said: “Our main aim during this time continues to be to keep our patients and our staff safe.
“All patients will go through the ‘triage’ process which will enable practices to prioritise appointments for those most in need. Repeat prescriptions can be requested online through practice websites or by using the NHS App and anyone who is not online can still contact their surgery who will advise them how they can order their medicines."
She added: “But it remains vital, especially over the Bank holiday period that everyone continues to help stop the spread of this virus by following Government advice and staying at home.”
