OUT-OF-HOURS services provided when GP surgeries are closed in the Durham Dales and Sedgefield area are to change.
From December 1, the Durham dales and Sedgefield Primary Care Trusts will take over responsibility of providing out-of-hours GP services.
As part of the new GP contract, the majority of the surgeries in the Durham Dales and Sedgefield have opted out of providing out-of-hours care.
The exceptions are Dr Deytrich and Partners, in Stanhope, and Drs Austin and Nainby-Luxmoore, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, who will continue to provide their own emergency services.
From December 1, if people need urgent GP care between 6pm and 8am Monday to Friday, at weekends and bank holidays, they should call (01388) 455455 for advice or treatment.
If necessary, patients will be offered an appointment at the Urgent Care Centre at Bishop Auckland General Hospital and home visits will still be made to patients who are too ill to travel.
For most people their GP surgery will no longer be open on Saturday mornings and patients will have to telephone the out-of-hours number.
Andrew Kenworthy, trust chief executive, said: "Most patients will not see any major changes as the Urgent Care Service has been running for a number of years and this is an extension to that."
Anyone who would like more details about the changes can call (01388) 458835 ext 136, for Durham dales residents, and 0800 328 9155 for Sedgefield.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article