From 1 April 2017, NHS South Tees Clinical Commissioning Group introduced a number of changes to urgent care to make it easier and more convenient for patients living across Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland to access GP appointments seven days a week .

Four extended hours GP centres will be open from 6pm to 9.30pm, Mondays to Fridays, and 8am to 9.30pm on weekends and Bank Holidays and will be based at:

• Hirsel Medical Centre, North Ormesby Health Village
• Bluebell Surgery, Acklam
• Bentley Medical Centre, Redcar Primary Care Hospital
• Brotton Surgery, East Cleveland Hospital

How do people access one of the new GP centres?

The centres operate an appointment based system – people won’t be able to just walk-in – but having access to them means you will be offered a choice of where to go and an appointment time which may be better for you. It also means that you are seen promptly and shouldn’t have to wait in a queue.

The service will be operated by local doctors and nurses from the South Tees area with access to your patient records.

There are a number of ways to make an appointment:

• Telephone your own GP surgery which has access to appointments in the extended hours GP centres.
• Your own surgery will always try to meet your needs first but if you require an appointment urgently and they can’t fit you in – or if it is more convenient for you to be seen in the evening or at the weekend, they will make an appointment for you at one of the centres.
• Telephone NHS 111 (free phone number) – NHS 111 has access to appointments in normal hours or in the extended hours GP centres. If you need to be seen, they will be able to make you an appointment.
• Book online via the following link: http://www.starappointment.co.uk/booking/

What if I have an urgent need after 9.30pm when the GP centres are closed?

Patients should call 111 and they will be directed to the most appropriate service.

Will there be other changes to existing services?

The introduction of the new extended hours GP centres also mean there have been changes to:

Redcar Minor Injury Unit opening times

Minor injury units (MIU) can assess and treat: minor burns, scalds, infected wounds, sprains, cuts, grazes and possible broken bones. Patients with a minor injury can still go to Redcar Primary Care Hospital but from 1 April the opening times will changed to 8am, to 9.30pm, seven days a week (including access to x-ray). Click here for more information about Redcar MIU.

Existing walk-in centres

The Walk-in Centres at North Ormesby (part of Resolution Health Centre) and Eston Grange closed on 31 March 2017. The GP practice at Resolution in North Ormesby will remain open for registered patients only.

If patients are not registered to a GP in the area, you can find your nearest NHS doctors by visiting NHS Choices.