GPs across Andover and the UK will have to offer Saturday and evening appointments under new plans announced by the NHS.

Practices across the county will have to begin offering appointments from 6.30pm until 8pm on weekdays and from 9am until 5pm on Saturdays under the plans announced in a letter to all GPs from NHS chiefs.

The new hours will come into force from October 1 this year so that surgeries offer "enhanced access" as part of their contracts and more face-to-face appointments.

We asked the Advertiser readers if they would like to see their GP offer weekday evening and weekend appointments for patients.

READ MORE: GP appointments to be available on weekends and evenings under NHS plans

Unsurprisingly, many readers said yes, but many of them were also considerate towards the “over-stretched” NHS services.

One reader wrote: “Some Saturdays would be good and later like 6-ish maybe. But they do have lives too and are overstretched as it is.

Another person wrote: “There are arguments for yes and no. Don’t forget GPs are people too and have families and non-work lives.

“For GPs to be open, they also need the support staff. Yes, it’d be more convenient if non-traditional GP hours were available, but do we have the infrastructure to do that?”

One Advertiser reader questioned why GPs cannot work weekend hours if every other profession is doing so.

“I think in the times we live in, yes [GPs should work on weekends]. Most other occupations work seven days a week and have late hours. We don't get poorly just Monday-Friday 9 till 5. It would also take some pressure off A&E.”

One resident said there needs to be a rota system to implement the extended hours.

“They need the workforce to be able to do it and they need the next day off as well. Mistakes could be made by overtired GPs and then they'd get it in the neck. [It] Could potentially be a big mistake waiting to happen.”

Some readers complained that they don’t even get face-to-face appointments anymore.

One reader wrote: “It would be nice to be able to see a doctor anytime, but they seem to be hibernating at the moment with the excuse of being short-staffed.”

Another person wrote: “Any appointments would be good.”

One resident was worried it would lead to an increase in national insurance (NI).

“How much more NI would you be prepared to pay to employ all the extra GPs and members of staff required to operate such a model?

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“In my opinion, you couldn't use the current staffing as they provide what you get in the week. Any manipulation of rotas to move staff to work later or at weekends, would mean fewer appointments during the week.”

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