A GP practice closed its Saturday morning surgery at the weekend and switched to an out-of-hours service.

Patients of Dr Jones and partners in Sedgefield, Fishburn, Bishop Middleham and the Trimdons have continued to attend Fishburn surgery despite a reorganisation of emergency services on December 1 last year.

Following a new GP contract negotiated nationally between doctors and the Government, Sedgefield Primary Care Trust took over responsibility for evening and weekend care.

Charles McCaughey, the trust's director of primary care, said: "The Saturday morning surgery was retained on a temporary basis to support transition to the new arrangements across the Sedgefield area.

"Now that these are securely in place, it is appropriate that local people are instead able to access a dedicated out-of-hours service, enabling patients to not only access GPs but also nurses and nurse practitioners."

Since December 1, the out of hours-service, based at the Urgent Care Centre at Bishop Auckland General Hospital, has seen 18,000 patients.

Nigel Porter, chief executive of Sedgefield PCT, said: "I'm sure patients will find that the service they receive will be of a high quality."

Sedgefield residents can find out about changes by calling the helpline 0800 328 9155.