HEALTH bosses have reminded patients that there are evening and weekend GP appointments available.

Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) chiefs said that minor ailments including coughs, colds and sore throats can be well-managed by their pharmacist and do not need a GP.

Residents in the borough can request an evening or weekend appointment from their GP.

They are booked as normal through GPs, although they may not be at the patient's usual surgery or with their usual doctor.

Dr Malcolm Ridgway, clinical director for quality and effectiveness at the CCG, said: “Times are changing.

"The needs of patients is changing and so it is only right that General Practice moves with the time too.

“These are not new appointments, they have been available since 2015 but we want to remind people as they may not be aware."