The Minister for the East of England has highlighted the work of a GP-led Health Centre in north Bedford as an example of great public services.
This follows the Government's recent announcement, which sets out the future shape and reform of public services.
Working Together - Public Services On Your Side details the steps the Government is taking to give people, communities and frontline staff the information and real power they need to personalise public services. Reflecting their local and individual needs will create a richer, fairer and safer society.
NHS Bedfordshire was the first Primary Care Trust (PCT) to sign its contract for a new GP-led Health Centre.
The Putnoe NHS Walk-In Centre was officially opened by Health Minister Lord Darzi in January 2009 and has been providing services since 1 July 2008. It has gradually increased its hours and services since then.
An estimated 75 per cent of GPs' surgeries in the east of England will be open evenings, weekends and early mornings by the end of the year.
At the moment 71 per cent of GP practices (537 out of 787) in the east of England offer extended hours. The figure is even higher in Luton, Suffolk and South West Essex, where more than 75 per cent of GP practices are open during extended hours.
Putnoe Medical Centre GP, Dr Peter Wilkinson, who has worked on developing the service, said: "This service is designed to complement existing GP and hospital services and not replace it. It provides patients with more choice as to the most suitable option for them but also helps to ensure patients are able to access the right care in the right setting and at the right time.
NHS Bedfordshire chief executive Andrew Morgan said: "The development of a walk-in service at Putnoe is in direct response to the needs and wishes of our patients. It is also a key recommendation of the Department of Health to make healthcare more accessible and I am delighted that this centre in Putnoe is one of the first in the country to be offering this.
"What is also important to many patients, is that the practice will continue to be run by local GPs with continued access to a GP of choice for its registered patients."
"Patients have told us, in our public consultation and at a public meeting, that they want a more flexible and personalised health service. They want to be able to access GP services in the evenings and at weekends and want to be able to do this at short notice without having to book an appointment; we are very pleased to be to be offering precisely that."
Minister for the East of England, Barbara Follett said:
"Public service workers in the East of England play a vital role in all aspects of our every day lives. It is important that the services they deliver respond effectively and swiftly to the needs of the communities they serve. The success of the GP led Health Centre in Bedford shows the real difference that improved information and feedback can make to the way in which public services are delivered."
