Extra evening and weekend with GPs are now available for patients.

Additional appointments have been made available for patients to visit their GP between 6.30am-8pm on weekdays and 8am-8pm on weekends.

Last year, 34,000 evening and weekend appointments were booked by patients and this year Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have made 4,000 more appointments available, equalling 38,000 which are expected to be popular in the winter months.

Dr Debbie Frost, chairman of Barnet CCG, said: "Local patients and charities have told us that evenings and weekend GP appointments are more convenient for a number of Barnet patients, particularly for those working long hours during the week or commuting during the week.

"The extra GP appointments proved to be extremely popular last year and – by increasing GP availability further – we hope that Barnet patients will continue to benefit from these additional services."

The changes will help accident and emergency departments, which are often busier in the winter months, and can be booked by telephone.

Dr Frost added that in the case that you need medical attention, but it is not urgent,

Lisa Robbins, Healthwatch Barnet Manager, said: "Healthwatch Barnet welcomes this service development and hopes that residents will find these additional appointments will ease the pressure on existing services in the Borough, and enable them to access more convenient GP appointments.

"We welcome feedback from patients on how well it is working for them."

To book an evening or weekend GP appointment you should speak to your GP surgery or call the evening and weekend service directly 020 3948 6809 (phone line operational at evenings and weekends only).