Need medical treatment? Go to a school - News - Evening Standard
       

Need medical treatment? Go to a school

Patients should be able to get basic NHS care at schools, chemists and sports centres instead of having to go to GPs' surgeries, the Health Secretary is to say.

Alan Johnson will say people with minor complaints are being let down by the inconvenient opening hours of family doctors. He wants to put pressure on GPs to open at weekends because their hours are "incongruous" with most workers.

In a speech that will anger family doctors tomorrow, he will say: "In the 21st century, half-day closing seems a little incongruous."

Speaking at Toynbee Hall in east London, Mr Johnson will add: "If the quantity, quality and accessibility of GP services are uneven, we will never reduce health inequalities."

The British Medical Association reacted with dismay and GP committee chairman Laurence Buckman said: "Many GPs and their teams struggle to provide surgeries between 8.30am and 6.30pm with longer and more complex consultations and a higher quality outcome."

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