Mr Beith wants the government to rethink out-of-hours cover

Berwick Lib-Dem MP Alan Beith has called on the government to rethink the system, which has seen doctors opt out of night-time and weekend cover.

The adjournment debate follows the death of Matilda Balmbra, 77, amid claims she was refused treatment at Alnwick Infirmary on Boxing Day.

A subsequent internal inquiry into her care found staff acted properly.

Mr Beith has been raising concerns about the level of cover which has been provided at night and weekends since the new system came into effect last autumn.

50 miles to hospital

He said: "I first drew attention to the possible flaws in the cover last August.

"It seemed to me then that the new system would be unsafe, with potentially just one doctor covering a vast area as well as the hospitals in Berwick and Alnwick.

"I want this debate to draw attention to the crisis which is facing our health service here in Northumberland, which relies on patients being transported up to 50 miles to a general hospital, and having to explain their medical problems over and over again to different people."

The Northumberland Healthcare NHS Trust, which pays for out-of-hours cover, says its service meets government standards.

When Mr Beith raised out-of-hours cover in Northumberland at Commons Questions in September last year, Health Secretary John Reid denied patients were suffering and said the service was efficient.