Evening and weekend appointments
Work in the day? Care for someone? At school or college? As an Ashcroft Surgery patient, you can book free NHS appointments in the evening and at the weekend at friendly practices near us. It is sometimes called Extended Access.
The important bits in 20 seconds
- Extra NHS appointments on weekday evenings and at the weekend. They are free.
- You can see a GP, nurse, physiotherapist or health care assistant.
- They are held at nearby Bradford practices, not always at Ashcroft Surgery.
- They must be booked in advance through us. Call 01274 612 279.
What is Extended Access?
Our surgery is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. We know those hours do not suit everyone. So local GP practices in our part of Bradford work together, like one big team, to offer extra appointments outside those hours.
Think of it as a shared pot of appointments. Each practice adds to the pot, and patients from all the practices, including you, can book from it. That way, everyone gets more choice than any one surgery could offer on its own.
These appointments are part of the NHS. There is no charge, and the health professionals you see are fully qualified.
Could these appointments suit you?
Anyone registered with Ashcroft Surgery can ask to book one. They are especially handy if you:
Work during the day
See someone after work without booking time off or losing pay.
Care for someone
Come along when family, friends or a sitter can cover for you.
Study or do school runs
Fit your health around college, school pick-ups or childcare.
Using an evening or weekend slot also frees up a daytime appointment for someone who cannot travel later in the day. So by choosing one, you may be helping another patient too.
When and where are they held?
| When | Time | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday evenings | 6.30pm to 9.30pm | Shipley Medical Centre, Picton Medical Centre and The Ridge Medical Practice |
| Wednesday evenings | 6.30pm to 9.30pm | Moorside Surgery (as well as the practices above) |
| Saturday and Sunday | 10am to 1pm | Picton Medical Centre |
Please double-check the venue when you book. Your appointment might not be at Ashcroft Surgery, so our team will tell you exactly where to go, the address, and anything you need to bring. Not every type of appointment runs at every site or on every day, so availability can vary.
Who might I see?
A GP or practice nurse
For many of the same things you would see them for in the daytime, such as ongoing problems, reviews and health checks.
A physiotherapist or health care assistant
For muscle, bone and joint problems, or things like blood tests and blood pressure checks, depending on what is available.
The person you see may work at a different practice, but they are part of the same local NHS team. With your permission, they can usually see the important parts of your GP record so they can care for you safely. Anything from your appointment is shared back with us, so your Ashcroft record stays up to date.
How to book
-
Call us on 01274 612 279
The best time to call about routine bookings is after 10am. You can also mention it whenever we offer you an appointment.
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Ask for an evening or weekend appointment
Tell our reception team a little about what you need. This helps them book you with the right person, whether that is a GP, nurse, physiotherapist or health care assistant.
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Note down the venue, date and time
Remember, it may be at a different practice. Our team will give you the address. Please plan how you will get there.
These appointments cannot be booked by walking into any of the venues. They must be arranged in advance through our surgery.
Help us keep this service running well
Evening and weekend appointments are popular and there is a limited number each week. A little care from all of us keeps them available for everyone.
Can't make it? Please tell us
If your plans change, call 01274 612 279 as soon as you can, even at short notice. Your slot can then go to another patient who needs it. Every cancelled-in-time appointment is a small gift to someone else.
Book them for routine things
These are pre-booked appointments for problems that can wait a few days. If you feel you need help today or tonight, use NHS 111 or, for urgent daytime problems, call us before 10am.
If you need help sooner
Call 999 in an emergency
For life-threatening problems such as chest pain, signs of a stroke, severe breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding or if someone is unconscious. Do not wait for an appointment.
Need help today, but not a 999 emergency?
Use NHS 111 online (opens the NHS 111 website) or call 111, free, 24 hours a day. When we are open, you can also call us before 10am about urgent same-day problems.
Common questions
Do I have to pay for these appointments?
No. They are normal NHS appointments and completely free, just like appointments at Ashcroft Surgery.
Can I book directly with Shipley, Picton, The Ridge or Moorside?
No. Please book through Ashcroft Surgery on 01274 612 279. The venues cannot book you in themselves, and there is no walk-in service.
Will the clinician know about my medical history?
They will ask your permission to view the important parts of your GP record during your appointment. This helps them care for you safely, for example by checking your medicines and allergies. Notes from your appointment are then shared back to Ashcroft Surgery.
What if I need to cancel or change my appointment?
Call us on 01274 612 279 as soon as you know. If we are closed, please call when we next open. Cancelling in good time means another patient can use your slot.
Is this the same as the out-of-hours doctor or NHS 111?
No. Extended Access appointments are pre-booked, planned appointments for routine care, just at more convenient times. If you become unwell and need help the same day or night, use NHS 111 online (opens the NHS 111 website) or call 111. In an emergency, always call 999.
Last reviewed: July 2026
Next review due: July 2027
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