Saturday surgeries 'not viable'

A row has erupted over the service provided by GPs at weekends.

Routine Saturday morning surgeries have been phased out by most GPs who say there is not enough demand to run such an expensive and time-consuming service.

But Health Secretary John Reid claims patients will soon be able to see a GP for routine appointments on a Saturday morning and get home visits under new out-of-hours arrangements. His statement has angered GPs, who say the question of Saturday morning surgeries was not even addressed during talks.

Dr Reid said at Commons question time: "The Health Minister [John Hutton] will shortly be publishing requirements that clarify what is expected of out-of-hours cover. I can make it absolutely clear in the meantime that this will include access to home visits from a GP, should a patient's condition require it, and access to Saturday morning surgery."

But doctors said there was not enough money to fund Saturday appointments.

Laurence Buckman, deputy chairman of the British Medical Association's GP committee, said: "There is no money for this. It has never been discussed."

Mr Buckman added he stopped providing routine weekend appointments at his surgery in Golders Green 18 months ago because there was no real need. He now only sees emergency cases.

In Kew, most practices are part of a GP co-operative that sees patients out of hours.

Patients no longer go to their local practice for an urgent appointment but have to go to the co-operative, based at a Teddington walk-in centre. Home visits can be arranged if necessary.

The situation faces further changes from January, when local Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) take over responsibility for out-of-hours services should doctors opt out of providing them.

It is not known how many GPs will opt out because it means a drop in their funding - but in London it is expected to be few.