article_snippet: Elderly and vulnerable patients will be offered longer GP appointments – including at weekends – in an attempt to reduce the chances of vulnerable patients ending up in hospital.
article_snippet: vulnerable patients will have 30-minute in-depth appointments with a family doctor in the hope that any underlying problems will be picked up before vulnerable patients require emergency admission.
article_snippet: The present system also means that patients with several long-term conditions may have to go to a different hospital outpatient clinic 20 or so miles away, several times a month.
article_snippet: Eventually, Mr Stevens wants many of the complex procedures provided by hospitals to be routinely available at GP surgeries a few miles from patients’ homes.
article_snippet: In Northamptonshire, the 7 per cent of patients deemed to be the most vulnerable will be offered 30-minute appointments with patients GP rather than the standard ten minutes.
article_snippet: In Northumberland, patients are being offered GP appointments at the weekend to prevent patients going to casualty.
article_snippet: Surgeries will form local groups and ensure that at least one is open every Saturday and Sunday.
article_snippet: Although the appointments will be offered to all patients, the appointments will most benefit the elderly and those with underlying conditions who see the appointments doctor more often.
highlights_snippet: Complex procedures will be carried out at GP surgeries instead of hospital .
  
highlights_snippet: Most vulnerable will be given 30 minutes instead of 10 with Care home patients GPs .