A DOCTOR with a dilemma is warning village patients of the possible closure of his Saturday surgery.

Dr Ian Bagshaw of the Rockliffe Court practice in Hurworth Place says that a new telephone out-of-hours service is likely to cause changes..

As from April 1, the service will be provided by Darlington Primary Care Trust.

It will operate between 6pm-8am Monday to Friday and 8am Saturday through to 8am Monday.

It has very stringent targets - answering calls within 20 seconds, being able to talk to a clinician within 20 minutes, emergency calls attended to within an hour and a translator available for people, who do not speak English.

The surgery's present out-of-hours service could not meet those standards.

Hurworth Coun Peter Foster relayed Dr Bagshaw's letter to Monday's meeting of Neasham Parish Council. It said the GP feared the Saturday morning surgery would have to cease.

An alternative would be to open for routine surgery, but the telephone would be put through to the PCT out-of-hours service.

"This would be a bit of a nonsense, as a patient with a problem telephoning to see us would not be able to, rather they would be dealt with by the new service and someone who knows nothing of their case," said Dr Bagshaw.

The council agreed with Coun Roderick Burtt of Hurworth, who said: "I think we should express grave disquiet at the changes in service that are to take place on April 1, without any form of consultation, and say that we are fearful that a lowering of standards of service will be inevitable."

On Tuesday, Dr Bagshaw said he was considering keeping the surgery open, but with the PCT telephone line.

"We won't be able to take calls from patients. But they can still come along and still use the e-mail system to ask for repeat prescription.

Dr Nonnie Crawford, director of public health with Darlingotn PCT, said GPs throughout the country had signed new contracts with the Department of Health.

Many practices were currently providing their own out-of-hours services, but the Government one would become compulsory in January 2005.

"We and four other PCTs in the area are offering GPs an option. They can to continue as they are until the new national contract begins next January or start with us in April.

"We are trying to improve their working lives as they have very demanding jobs, so they can start work refreshed on Monday morning.

"Out-of-hours is currently delivered by an organisation called Prime Care, but in future the service will have to be delivered to more exacting standards."

Coun Burtt commented: "It is the rural areas who are going to be disadvantaged by this standardisation.

"I am prepared to guarantee that in two years' time the rural surgery will be closed from 6pm on a Friday to 8am Monday morning. I would be happier with a more flexible approach.