Concerns over shake-up of GP access

Councillors have raised concerns about extended access to GP services following a major shake-up in County Durham.

Last month, Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield’s Clinical Commissioning Group (DDES CCG) backed plans for an overhaul of ‘seven-day services.’

In recent years, nine ‘hubs’ across the area provided additional appointments with patients directed through the ‘NHS 111’ phone service.

But revised plans by health bosses aimed to reduce the number of hubs as some were “significantly underused.”

The new structure includes extended access services covering Easington, Peterlee and Seaham and those in Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor /Newton Aycliffe and Sedgefield.

As a result of the revamp, hubs were scrapped in Barnard Castle and Stanhope.

A special meeting of Durham County Council’s Adults, Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee was called to discuss the planned changes.