Seven days a week, 8 AM to 8 PM: improving access to national health service primary care

In October 2013, the British government announced plans to extend access to primary care in England, allowing patients to see their general practitioner from 8 AM to 8 PM 7 days a week. This announcement sparked considerable debate about the practical details of the proposal and whether extended access would relieve pressure on emergency departments. This article provides a background to primary care access in England and the main arguments in the current debate over extending primary care access to 7 days a week.