'GP night calls won't be axed'

Patients were today promised they will still be able to call out a doctor at night despite growing fears that fewer GPs are willing to provide home visits.

Health ministers issued new guidelines in an attempt to reassure families that reforms will not mean the end of out-of-hours call-outs.

But there was scepticism among health professionals and patients groups that the rules would greatly improve night-time cover for most people.

The guidelines say a patient will be visited "where there is a clinical need". But in practice most services will be provided by locums rather than by the patient's regular GP.

Concern for the future of out-of-hours services has risen since a new NHS contract in April allowed GPs to "opt out" of providing night cover if they took a pay cut of ?6,000. Hundreds of doctors have taken up the option.

Health Minister John Hutton, issuing the guidance to local primary care trusts now responsible for out-of-hours cover, described it as a "quality guarantee" that everyone needing medical help at night could see a doctor, including home-visits. He said: "Patients are entitled to expect high quality, accessible and comprehensive primary care services during evenings and weekends."

The new rules make clear patients will not get a home visit just because they want one. Doctors and their staff will be free to decide whether it is justified.

Patients groups warned that mistakes could be made if, as has been claimed, receptionists with no medical qualifications are left to make the decision.

Simon Williams, of the Patients' Association, said: "If the Department of Health is promising that everyone who has a clinical need will be able to see a doctor at night, that is the promise we will keep them to."

The British Medical Association said the announcement was a "clarification" of the rules. A spokesman said it would not mean any change in the number of call-outs under the new contract.