A REPORT into out-of-hours GP cover in the upper dales has called for major changes.

The review by Richmondshire District Council, in North Yorkshire, suggests paramedics and nurses at Bainbridge ambulance station could assess patients when Aysgarth surgery is closed.

Councillors also recommend the main primary care centre should be moved from Catterick to the Friary Community Hospital, at Richmond.

The council was asked to review the out-of-hours cover for the upper dales after doctors at the Aysgarth surgery stopped providing the service in April.

The new system means patients who feel unwell now ring a call centre, which requests a duty doctor to call them.

This doctor then offers advice, makes an appointment for the patient at Catterick surgery or arranges a home visit.

Despite reassurances from health chiefs, the service has been widely criticised by residents and community leaders.

They say residents, especially the elderly, fear a doctor coming from outside the area will not be able to find them.

Patients are also concerned about getting to Catterick if they are required to attend an appointment.

Other changes to the system, suggested by the district council's overview and scrutiny committee, include the reintroduction of Saturday surgeries, more Bank Holiday surgeries and a better system to handle complaints about the out-of-hours system.

The report will now be passed to North Yorkshire County Council.