A surgery is set to offer the first an out-of-hours service for Wanstead and Woodford from next week.

South Woodford’s Southdene Surgery, in George Lane will be open in the evenings and at weekends from Monday (July 13).

There is an out-of-hours service in Fullwell Cross and Newbury Park but this new centre will mean people living in Wanstead and Woodford will have one nearer home.

Currently, Southdene Surgery is open from 8am to 6.30pm during the week, apart from Mondays which closes at 8pm.

It is closed on Sundays and is only open on the second Saturday of the month.

But next week from Monday to Friday the service will be open until 10pm.

On weekends the surgery will be open from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and 9am to 1pm on Sundays.

If people phone before 2pm then an appointment will be available that evening.

Dr Ed Diggines, chair of Redbridge Healthbridge and GP at Rydal Group Practice in Woodford Green, called the launch "a massive development".

He said: “The aim is to get an out-of-hours service in each locality in Redbridge and this will be one serving Wanstead and Woodford.

“The two other centres which are already up and running have massive usage but they are too far away for residents here so we are delighted to be opening this new service.

“This is perfect for people working regular hours and those who want to see a doctor quickly for an issue which is not an emergency.

"Accident and Emergency centres are under strain so this will hopefully help to ease the situation and offer another option for people who need treatment."

Call the new central appointment booking system on 02037701888