PLANS to roll out a scheme pioneered in Radcliffe to provide GP access seven days a week has been hailed by a local doctor.

In 2013, Radcliffe was chosen as one of just six areas in Greater Manchester to test the project, allowing the town’s 34,000 patients at six practices access to a GP until 8pm on weekdays and between 8am and 6pm on weekends.

It was announced last month (June) that the scheme will now be implemented across the region by the end of the year, helping an additional two million people not already covered by a seven-day scheme.

Dr Ajay Kotegaonkar, who runs Spring Lane Surgery, said: “I’m the son of two GPs and I’ve seen the times in the past when they used to work seven days a week, 24 hours a day, so I’m aware of the demands that would be placed on anybody going back to that kind of system.

“However, it was clear in Radcliffe, as far back as 2012, that things needed to change and one of the things that was highlighted was that the standard of care in non-core hours needed addressing.

“So we decided to work together with other GP practices to provide extended hours and this is the way that we can staff the full week.

"From the pilot demonstrator we have proved we can do this. We have been able to give alternatives to working people, for families that want to discuss the health problems of their relatives, for parents whose children are in school and for elderly patients who, without the support of their families, could not attend a GP practice in the week.”

The success of the scheme has led to a 38% reduction in usage of out-of-hours services and a decrease of £43,000 in total accident and emergency (A&E) costs.

He added: "It is not an option for us as a profession to stick to the standard five days a week, so having put forward our model of care as a solution, we look forward to discussions and deliberations on what can be done, not only over an area such as Greater Manchester, but also nationally.

"One way or another, GPs are going to have to change and take control of their own futures. If we don’t accept that somebody else, such as private providers, may do it for us and that could be the end of the traditional GP as we know it.

"GPs need to be careful about how they see the future of their profession. We have to be involved in making decisions and shaping the future and that’s what we have done in Radcliffe.”