 GPs can opt-our of providing out of hours care |
Ministers are spending millions of pounds trying to ensure patients will have access to GP care at evenings and weekends in a year's time. It follows concern that some patients could end up in A&E after the new GP contract comes into effect.
Under the deal GPs will be able to opt-out of out of hours care and primary care trusts will take over.
Health Minister John Hutton has said he was now making another �28m available to PCTs to ensure they will be able to cope after the changeover.
Extra staff
Overall spending on out of hours care is set to double by the time the new GP contract comes into effect next April, from �42m to �92m per year.
Much of this extra money will be spent on extra staff.
The vast majority of GPs are expected to use the opt-out clause to stop working evenings and weekends.
Health bosses in North Yorkshire are already considering bringing in nurses and paramedics to deal with patients.
A survey of doctors working in the area, carried out in September, suggested just three out of 545 were prepared to do this type of work. Health Minister John Hutton said the extra money would go to those PCTs facing the biggest challenge in developing their out of hours services, such as those in rural or inner city areas.
"All of us want to know that if our child or parent is ill during the night, there will be a health professional immediately available to provide the care they need," he said.
"While it is a substantial for PCTs, it is also an opportunity for them to rethink the provision of out of hours services across their area and to co-ordinate this with other services including A&E, social care and NHS walk-in centres."
The National Association of GP Co-operatives, which represents co-ops that traditionally provide out of hours care, welcomed the extra cash.
"We are already working hard to prepare for next year and this extra money is a welcome addition to the resources already available to local areas," said Dr Mark Reynolds, its chairman.
The NHS Alliance, which represents primary care trusts, welcomed the extra money but warned more may be needed.
Spokesman Dr David Jenner said: "We cannot absolutely say whether this money will be enough.
"PCTs don't yet know how many GPs are going to opt out. Our surveys suggest 95% intend to opt out.
"Many GPs won't make a final decision until next year."
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We cannot absolutely say whether this money will be enough 
