New figures released today (9 September 2008) by the Department of Health (DH) show that, at the end of August, 45% of 8,247 practices in England surveyed were offering extended opening hours.
This figure has increased from just under 38% in July, indicating that practices are quickly moving to offer the new directed enhanced service.
DH data show the number of GP practices within each commissioner area (PCTs and care trusts) and how many of those practices were offering extended opening hours on the census date (21 August 2008).
The average percentage of GP practices offering extended hours within each Commissioner area was 44.2%. This has changed from 36.5% in July.
A total of 16 commissioners had no GP practices offering extended opening hours (10.5%). In July, there were 22 (14.6%).
The DH says that 71 (46.7%) commissioners have achieved the Operating Framework aim of 50% of their GP practices offering extended opening hours. In July, 58 (38.2%) commissioners had achieved this.
