This project enables practices to provide extended access to appointments with a GP or health professional between the hours of 7-8 am and 6.30-8pm Monday to Friday along with a Saturday. Practices provide the extended access across the days / times to flexibly suit the practice with commitment to provide a minimum of 30 minutes per 1,000 population and maximum of 45 minutes per 1,000 population.

Practices use APEX to record the data to enable calculation of payments and provide access information required for monitoring purposes. The GP Alliance monitors and facilitates the appropriate payments and completes data monitoring returns for the CCG and NHS England. Extended access provides greater flexibility for patients with additional appointments available at times to suit personal circumstances. This assists the patient and practice with access and should assist with appointment waiting times.

This contract was secured by an initial bid to NHS England to commence pilot waves focussing on extended access. Funding has now transferred to CCGs with the contract continuing with the GP Alliance through 2017 / 2018.