What research it is undertaking on the appropriateness of usage of GP appointments within the extended hours.

The intention of extended hours is to increase the availability of routine GP appointments outside of normal office hours, regardless of the patient''s background or circumstance. There is in principle no restriction on who may book an extended hours appointment although they will be of most benefit to patients who are unable to attend during normal office hours and GP practices may encourage other patients to make use of existing in-hours appointments whenever possible. We are, therefore, not undertaking research on the health needs of patients accessing GP appointments during extended hours.