More patients are able to see their GPs in the evenings and at weekends, according to the Department of Health.

Statistics released by the government department show that 20% of family doctor practices are offering extended opening hours for their patients.

Government targets aim to get at least half of all GP surgeries offering extended opening hours, either in the evening or weekends, by the end of the year.

To meet the target, Hampshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) recently invited sur-geries to submit plans for extending opening times.

Twenty surgeries in the Rushmoor and Hart area have agreed to the proposals, which Hampshire head of primary care contracting, Julia Bagshaw, says have been enthusiastically received by GPs across the county.

She said: “Of 147 practices in Hampshire, 141 submitted proposals and the PCT has already approved 132 of them. Most of the approved proposals will start from July 1.”