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 24 hours a day.

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

Many GPs already use professional deputising services or doctors' co-operatives to answer out-of-hours calls and so their patients will not notice a change.

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

But some parts of the region will see significant changes, with patients seen by emergency care practitioners, working alongside doctors. These health workers, usually former paramedics or nurses, will be based in emergency care centres, near accident and emergency departments in towns.

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 these areas will receive leaflets explaining how the new arrangements will work.

From April 1 anyone needing urgent medical care out of normal surgery hours will have to ring a central phone number - 0870 240 6518.

Callers will be assessed by a trained operator and offered a number of options including advice over the phone, or a visit to an out-of-hours emergency care centre.

Derwentside in County Durham is the next area expected to join the schme, with its PCT aiming to take over responsibility for out-of-hours calls in July.

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 on December 1 and Hambleton and Richmondshire are committed to changing over by the end of the year.