Extended hours DES 'redundant'.

Exclusive - Local deals between GPs and PCTs override national extended hours deal.

The extended hours directed enhanced service (DES) may be redundant when it is published because most PCTs have developed more flexible local agreements, GP can reveal.

Data obtained by GP suggest that more than three quarters of PCTs have abandoned the DES in favour of a local enhanced service (LES).

Of the 63 PCTs that responded to a Freedom of Information Act request, just four were committed to using the DES alone or a LES based wholly on the interim DES guidance.

It is another sign of PCTs and practices rejecting national guidance in favour of local …