GP practices in North Cumbria are offering thousands more appointments outside normal working hours. 

Most are seeing more patients during normal hours than they did before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Around two-thirds of appointments are face-to-face, with many patients preferring phone or online options where these are right for their needs.

Dr Neil O'Brien, Medical Director for the NHS's North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: "General practices are seeing more patients than ever, and the teams who made such immense efforts during Covid-19 are still working incredibly hard for patients.

"We know it's frustrating if you can't get an appointment as quickly as you'd like, and we're doing everything we can to innovate and improve services.

"GPs are the cornerstone of every practice, but modern primary care is much wider than doctors. Practices are triaging every patient so they can see the right person for their needs – this might be a GP or nurse or it could be a pharmacist, physiotherapist or podiatrist.

"We'd like to thank primary care staff for everything they do, and the vast majority of patients for their understanding when local practices are under pressure."