Residents living in the Colne Valley area now have access to extra doctor's appointments.

The Mid Essex CCG says patients can pre book evening and weekend appointments at one of the four surgeries involved in the Extended Access scheme.

The scheme forms part of a national programme allowing people who might not be able to get to their GP surgery during normal working hours to see nurse practitioners, GPs and healthcare assistants at other times.

Residents in Halstead were given access to the scheme when it launched in August and now those living in the Colne valley region will also be able to book evening or weekend appointments at one of the four health centres.

Chair Designate Dr Anne Davey said: "I’m really pleased for patients and others living across our area that Extended Access is now available to all. This means that people who would choose the convenience of evening or weekend appointments can now do so and get professional NHS services more easily.

"In many cases, people going to their GP practice have a condition for which nurse practitioners and other health professionals can offer the right advice and treatment. The new service allows for this.

"Extended Access is part of wider plans at the CCG to build a strong foundation for primary care – our GP."

The four health centres taking part in the Extended Access scheme are Halstead's Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery, the North Chelmsford Health Centre, Mount Chambers Surgery in Braintree and Maldon's Longfield Medical Centre.

Due to different IT systems, people registered at Hilton House, in Sible Hedingham and the Castle Surgery in Castle Hedingham have had to wait until October 1 before being able to use to the scheme.

All evening appointments must be booked in advance and patients will be allocated a clinician such as a nurse practitioner, paramedic, GP or other healthcare professional.

The CCG insists its Extended Access scheme should not impact on appointments for patients registered at the Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery.

To ease the growing strain on the surgery, bosses launched a new walk-in clinics which allows patients to be seen without having a pre-booked appointment.

It is also hoped the Extended Access scheme will alleviate the growing demand for appointments at the surgery.

For more information about the scheme, visit midessexccg.nhs.uk.