3 February 2010
Scarborough Evening News

SCARBOROUGH is one of the best areas for out-of-hours GP coverage in the country - despite only having one doctor on call per 53,333 residents.

NHS North Yorkshire and York has revealed that in Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale, there are three GPs on call at evenings and weekends, covering a total population of 160,000 people.

Figures for 32 health trusts across the country have been published following an information request from a number of national newspapers.

The worst example was the Wigan area with just one doctor available for 310,000 people.

And in both Bolton and Brighton and Hove, a lone GP had to cover a quarter of a million or more.

The alarming national average was one GP to answer calls from a population of 142,000 people.

Scarborough's MP Robert Goodwill says he believes the problem began when the Government renegotiated the NHS contract in 2004.

Family doctors were allowed to opt out of night and weekend work, which was handed out to other providers.

He said: "The Government tried to reorganise a system that wasn't broken and what we have now is not really an acceptable situation.

"They have ended up spending more money for less of a service."

He added that people often contact him with concerns about out-of-hours GP coverage.

Mr Goodwill said: "If you're in Whitby and the doctor on call is in Pickering, it's not the same as being in a city.

"A doctor can't be in two places at once. In an emergency it could potentially be a risk to patient safety."

John Darley, assistant director of clinical services development at NHS North Yorkshire and York, said: "Our GP out-of-hours provision has been developed following extensive analysis of local needs.

"This area of healthcare is assessed using strict quality, access and response standards which we consistently monitor to make sure they are met.

"One particular factor in planning our out of hours service is our local geography. As we cover very rural areas, we have to make sure an out of hours GP can respond to a house call within 60 minutes if required.

"This means making sure GPs are well-located across our patch."

A spokesman from the Department of Health said: "Patient safety is our top priority and primary care trusts have a clear legal responsibility to provide safe, high quality out-of-hours care.

"Failure to do so can result in action by the NHS or the independent regulator."