YOU may not be a frequent visitor to your local GP practice, but even the healthiest of us may need to see a medical professional once in a while.

Whether you’re a regular attendee or not, it’s useful to know when your practice is open for business.

In Bolton, we recognised that we could improve access to GPs to make it easier for patients, and there are a few schemes in operation which are there to help you.

Your local GP practice is open from 8am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, and you can book an appointment during these times – each practice will have its own bespoke booking system.

If your child is under 12, they’re entitled to an assessment on the same day you ring in. This could be over the phone or at the practice.

We know people can struggle to attend between core times, either because they have work commitments or caring responsibilities, so there are also a number of evening and weekend appointments available.

These can be booked in advance and are held at three NHS sites in Bolton; each evening between 6.30pm and 9.30pm and every Saturday and Sunday morning.

You can book via your GP but your actual appointment will be at either: Waters Meeting Health Centre, Winifred Kettle Centre and the Urgent Treatment Centre, based at the Royal Bolton Hospital (access via Main Entrance).

If you’re not offered this option by your practice, then please ask about it.

And, if you need urgent help outside of your GP opening hours then please ring your practice number and a recorded message will direct you to the out-of-hours service.

Details about GP services are on our website www.boltonccg.nhs.uk and you may see reminders on social media in the next few weeks.

Don’t forget – if you’re not offered it, ask for it!