GPs across Huddersfield have agreed to open on Saturdays for the first time.

Health chiefs announced yesterday that 22 of Huddersfield’s 41 surgeries would begin opening between 9am and 12.30pm from this Saturday.

The new service is for urgent appointments only and patients will not be able to book routine check-ups.

It is hoped the move by doctors will ease the pressure on struggling out-of-hours services and A&E departments.

Research shows that Saturday mornings are busy times all year round in A&E – and even busier in the winter.

NHS Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said the plan would benefit 160,000 patients.

The Examiner understands north Kirklees and Calderdale GPs have no plans to follow Huddersfield’s lead.

Chairman of CCG, Dr Steve Ollerton, whose own surgery is taking part in the new scheme, said: “As a new commissioning organisation with big ambitions about improving patient care, I am really pleased that so many colleagues have risen to the challenge of supporting their patients and helping to ease winter pressures in the NHS.

“Saturday opening is voluntary and has involved negotiation with practice support teams to make it possible.

“It is unfortunate we do not have 100% patient coverage but some of our smaller practices are not able to offer the number of doctors required.

Dr Steve Ollerton
Dr Steve Ollerton

“Patients whose surgery isn’t part of the scheme can still call NHS 111 if they have an urgent health need and there will be the normal out of hours care available.

“The usual 999 emergency service will be there for people who have life threatening illness.”

The news comes the same day that the CCG was awarded an extra £2.3m for winter care.

The CCG has delegated the extra cash to the region’s Urgent Care Board with a view to implementing schemes in the coming weeks and months.

Ideas include improving seven day working at hospitals and more work to prevent inappropriate visits to casualty.

CCG chief executive, Carol McKenna, said: “It’s very important this money is put in the system and is having an impact quickly.

“This is money we’ve got to spend this year.”

As reported last month, a £3m plan is already underway to keep people out of A&E this winter.

Surgeries offering Saturday consultations:

Almondbury Surgery,

Longcroft, Almondbury, HD5 8XN.

Birkby Health Centre,

37 Norwood Road, Birkby, Huddersfield, HD2 2YD.

Bradford Road Medical Centre,

93 Bradford Road, Fartown, HD1 6DZ.

Colne Valley Family Doctors,

Manchester Road, Slaithwaite, HD7 5JY.

Dalton Surgery,

364a Wakefield Road, Dalton, HD5 8DY.

Elmwood Health Centre,

Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth, HD9 3TR.

Dr Gowas Surgery,

124 Trinity Street, Huddersfield, HD1 4DT.

The Grange Group,

Using Branch: Keldregate Surgery, 268 Keldregate, Deighton, HD2 1LE.

Kirkburton Health Centre,

Using: Skelmanthorpe practice.

Lepton Surgery,

Highgate Lane, Lepton, HD8 0HH.

Lindley Group Practice,

62 Acre Street, Lindley, HD3 3DY.

Marsden Health Centre,

Using: Colne Valley Health Centre.

Meltham Group Practice,

1 The Cobbles, Meltham, HD9 5QQ.

Newsome Surgery,

1 Church Lane, Newsome, HD4 6JE.

Oaklands Health Centre,

Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth, HD9 3TP.

Dr Reddy’s Surgery,

19 Greenhead Road, Huddersfield, HD1 4EN.

Skelmanthorpe Family Doctors,

Commercial Road, Skelmanthorpe.

Slaithwaite Health Centre,

New Street, Slaithwaite, HD7 5AB.

Speedwell Surgery,

1 Speedwell Street, Paddock, HD1 4TS.

Thornton Lodge Surgery,

60 Thornton Lodge Road, Thornton Lodge, HD1 3SB.

University Practice,

The Health Centre, 12 Sand Street, Huddersfield, HD1 3AL.

Woodhouse Hill Surgery,

71a Woodhouse Hill, Fartown, HD2 1DH