More GP surgeries in England open evenings and weekends, says government

More than half of England-based GP practices are now offering extended hours to patients, meeting a government target three months early. Health minister Ben Bradshaw announced that 4,250 practices across England (51.4% of the total) were now opening on evenings and weekends. Earlier this year, the British Medical Association said medics were being "bullied" by ministers. But the BMA backed down and accepted a new style of contract which it said was "less damaging" than the alternative the government had threatened to impose.