WINCHESTER MP Steve Brine, a junior health minister, is set to cut the ribbon today on a new out-of-hours healthcare hub ahead of its opening on October 2.

The new primary care hub at the Badger Farm Surgery will allow patients to see a GP, nurse, or healthcare assistant from 5pm to 8pm on weekdays, 8am to 4pm on Saturdays and 8am to noon on Sundays.

The new hub has been funded by NHS West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and will be run by the local GP Federation, Mid Hampshire Healthcare.

CCG chief officer Heather Hauschild said: “We know it’s not always easy for people to get to see their GP during normal working hours, so this new service gives flexibility and allows people to see a GP at a time that is convenient to them.

“We hope these GP hubs will make patients’ lives easier and ensure that people receive the care they need at a time that suits them.”

Patients can book a routine appointment by ringing their own GP surgery. Urgent appointments at the hub will be booked by the out of hours GP service via NHS 111 when GP surgeries are closed.

All clinicians at the hubs will have full access to the patient’s electronic primary care records as long as the patient has given their consent when they book their appointment.