Now is your chance to help shape a new out-of-hours GP service for this area.

Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group (SDCCG) is going to establish a new GP service that will provide care outside of usual working hours - during evenings, weekends and bank holidays when GP surgeries are closed.

The ‘out-of-hours’ GP contract with its current provider is due to end in September and SDCCG is legally required to go out to tender for a provider to run the service from October. 

The CCG said it will be doing this through "a robust procurement process", but wants patients’ views so it can design a service tailored to local needs.

Karen Parsons, chief operating officer at SDCCG, said: "Many of us have been in the situation where we need urgent medical treatment or advice when our GP practice is closed but when A&E isn’t the right option.

"The GP out-of-hours service works closely with NHS 111 and other local services to ensure patients get the care they need when GP surgeries are closed so it is a valuable local service.

"We are listening to local health professionals and patients so we can design a service that meets local needs.

"We genuinely want local people to help shape the new service so we are asking people to share their views through a quick and simple online survey, developed by our patient representatives."

Questions in the online survey include the distance people would be willing to travel to access out-of-hours services, and whether people would prefer a walk-in-and-wait service or an appointment-based service.

There is also a comments box where you can express any views you feel are not captured by answering the questions.

The short survey, which consists of nine questions and takes a few minutes to complete, is available by clicking here. 

The deadline for completing the survey is January 31.  All feedback will be used to help shape the service specification and design the future GP out-of-hours service for the area.