Hospital trials Saturday clinics

Outpatients can be treated on Saturdays at the N&N

A hospital is to trial Saturday clinics after patients expressed a preference for evening and weekend treatment.

Out-patients at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital are being given the option of a Saturday appointment on 30 June as a one-off initiative.

"After feedback from patients about healthcare during evening and weekends we decided to put this to the test," said Professor David Scott.

"If it's a success Saturday clinics could be permanent for some treatment."

Consultants, nurses and admin staff are all making time to see patients who will be asked to complete a short questionnaire to assist the hospital in evaluating the initiative.

Currently patients on the waiting list are telephoned up to six weeks before they are due to see a specialist on dates and times only available from Monday to Friday.

The medical specialties holding clinics on 30 June are rheumatology, gastroenterology, dermatology, medicine for the elderly and endocrinology.