Richmond’s out of hours care will be revolutionised by a £495,000 enhancement from the League of Friends of Teddington Memorial Hospital.

The organisation has pledged this figure for the first year of the enhancement, which goes live on November 4, and are committed to a further two years of collaborating with the borough’s GPs in the same way.

The funds will go towards a dedicated car and a nurse at weekends between 9am and 5pm, and will enable patients to get an appointment at the hospital’s dedicated primary care centre, or receive a home visit when required.

Chairman of the league of friends Pamela Bryant MBE said: "We believe this is the first of its kind in the country.

"It is envisaged this new arrangement will provide first class care for the registered NHS patients of Richmond Practices as well as reduce the number of patients attending A&E departments which is very much in line with current NHS aspirations."