Patients in London will have the option of booking GP appointments for evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
An extra 75,000 routine appointments a month will be available in the capital, as part of an NHS England scheme.
The £26m initiative is hoped to reduce pressures on stretched A&E departments.
The British Medical Association said it is “encouraged” that the plans cover extra staffing expenses, but was worried by doctors’ rising workloads.
London is the first area to offer the extended service.
If surgeries are fully booked or closed when registered patients call up, then they will be able to book with other nearby practices.
GPs will have access to electronic patient records, so that patients do not have to be seen by their regular doctor.
NHS England’s Prof Jane Cummings said: “Appointments at evenings and weekends will help manage pressures on urgent and emergency care services, especially over the busy winter period.”
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