THE traditional link between patients and their local GP will be broken next month when a new way of dealing with out-of-hours medical problems is introduced.

Historically, GPs have always been responsible for their patients for 24 hours a day.

But from April 1, when a new GP contract comes into force, the vast majority of family doctors will begin handing over urgent night and weekend calls to the local primary care trust.

Most patients should not notice any difference because many GPs already use professional deputising services or doctors' co-operatives to answer out-of-hours calls.

And in some rural areas, including Teesdale and Weardale, some GPs have decided to continue to look after their out-of-hours calls.

But in some parts of the region there will be significant changes, with patients seen by a new type of health care worker, emergency care practitioners, working alongside doctors.

These health workers, usually former paramedics or nurses, will be based in emergency care centres, usually near accident and emergency departments in towns.

The new out-of-hours service will be implemented in Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust area from September 1.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Derwentside, there will be a transitional period from July 1.

A spokeswoman for the Derwentside trust said: "The PCT will assume responsibility from July 1, and implement the new model over a period of months."

The first areas to make the change will be the PCTs covering Darlington, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, North Tees and Langbaurgh.

Tens of thousands of patients living in those areas will receive leaflets at home explaining how the new arrangements will work.

From April, 1 anyone needing urgent medical care out of normal surgery hours in these areas (after 6pm and before 8am or at the weekend) will have to ring a new number - 0870 240 6518.

Callers in those areas only will be assessed by a trained operator and offered a number of options.

This could be advice over the phone, or they may be asked to visit an out-of-hours emergency care centre where they could be seen by a nurse, emergency care practitioner or a doctor.

October 1 is the target date for Easington, Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale and Craven, Harrogate and Rural District.

Durham Dales and Sedgefield are aiming to switch over on December 1, and Hambleton and Richmondshire are committed to changing by the end of the year.