'GPs will still call' assurance

From April next year GPs nationwide will no longer be responsible for out-of-hours services. They will fall to local Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and Bexhill and Rother is one of four areas piloting the new scheme.

A new out-of-hours diagnostic centre at the Conquest Hospital will be a major feature of the new system locally.

Bexhill and Rother Primary Care Trust has issued a leaflet detailing the changes but fears patients may have misunderstood some of the information.

The Observer has been contacted by worried residents who fear home visits and the out-of-hours service at Bexhill Hospital will be axed and sick people will have to somehow make their way to the Conquest to get treatment at night under the new system.

Sylvia Larkin, of Gibb Close, wrote: "I am appalled that severely ill people, with possible strokes or heart attacks, possibly without transport (as in our case), should have to summon a taxi in the middle of the night to find help.

"I am personally terrified at the thought."

But Bexhill and Rother Primary Care Trust was quick to react, and insisted the new out-of-hours services did not simply amount to referring people to accident and emergency departments.

A spokesman said: "Mrs Larking and other readers can be assured that people who are unfit to travel will not be expected to summon a taxi in the middle of the night to find medical help.

"Home visits will remain part of the out-of-hours service for those in genuine need and people's transport needs will also be considered.

"We are currently piloting a patient transport service using ambulances.

"The PCT expects that the new service will build and improve upon that which currently exists, in time including better integration of all out-of-hours services."

The service at Bexhill Hospital is not being axed but will close at 10pm rather than 11pm to reflect demand, said the PCT. It added patients will have the choice of whether to be visited at home, to visit Bexhill Hospital or to visit the diagnostic centre at the Conquest according to their needs.