Enhanced Access Clinics
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Making it easier to see a healthcare professional — at a time that works for you.
Our Enhanced Access Clinics are designed to offer patients greater flexibility and convenience when accessing primary healthcare services. By offering appointments outside of normal surgery hours — including evenings and weekends — we help ensure that healthcare is available when it’s most needed.
Whether it’s a same-day concern, a check-up you’ve been putting off, or a follow-up appointment at a more suitable time, we’re here to support your health with high-quality, accessible care.
Why Enhanced Access Matters
We understand that it’s not always easy to attend appointments during standard working hours. Our clinics help:
- Improve access for patients with work, school or caring commitments
- Reduce the need for unnecessary A&E or urgent care visits
- Relieve pressure on local GP practices
- Provide timely intervention for minor illnesses and ongoing conditions
What We Offer
Our Enhanced Access Clinics provide:
- Extended hours — including weekday evenings and weekend slots
- Same-day appointments for urgent, non-emergency needs
- Face-to-face consultations with GPs, nurses, and other professionals
- Telephone and video appointments, where appropriate
- Access to a wide range of services, including chronic condition reviews, immunisations, and more
All appointments are delivered by qualified, experienced healthcare professionals working as part of your local primary care team.
Patient-Centred, High-Quality Care
Our clinics are staffed by dedicated clinicians and support teams who are committed to providing safe, compassionate, and effective care. We take a personalised approach, tailoring each appointment to your individual health needs — whether it is managing a long-term condition or treating a new concern.
Our work not only supports patients but also enables GP practices to operate more efficiently by increasing clinical capacity and reducing appointment backlogs.
Where We Operate
We currently deliver Enhanced Access Clinics to patients registered with GP practices in:
- Blackburn East
- Blackburn North
- Blackburn West
- Darwen
If you are registered with a GP surgery in any of these areas, you may be eligible to book an Enhanced Access appointment.
How to Book
Booking an appointment is simple:
- 1. Contact your GP practice directly during normal opening hours
- 2. Ask about availability for Enhanced Access Clinics
- 3. The practice team will offer you an appointment that suits your needs
Please note that appointment types and times may vary depending on clinic availability.
Our Aims
Our Enhanced Access Clinics are part of a wider effort to ensure healthcare is fair, timely, and responsive to patient needs. Our goals include:
- Improving access for all patients, regardless of schedule or circumstance
- Reducing pressure on out-of-hours and emergency services
- Enhancing patient outcomes through earlier intervention
- Supporting practices with additional clinical capacity and flexibility
Our Impact (During 2024)
We’re proud of the difference our clinics have made. In the past year, we have:
- Delivered 17,898 appointments across all sites
- Supported 23 local GP practices
- We work with ELMs and 111
- We offer on the day bank holiday sessions
