AN OUT-of-hours GP service has been criticised after moving 17 miles at the weekend when a leaking roof causing electrical problems.

The out of hours service at Harewood Medical Practice in Catterick Garrison was a replacement for the service run out of the garrison’s Duchess of Kent Hospital after the building was deemed no longer fit for purpose last autumn.

The move sparked controversy then because of an interim period where the service had to be held at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton – 17 miles away from the garrison – as it caused problems for parents of young children, many of whom relied on public transport.

The service was run from Northallerton for around two weeks before it was able to move back to Catterick Garrison’s Harewood Medical Practice – but the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust has caused anger again with another temporary move.

Leader of Richmondshire District Council, Cllr John Blackie, said he was disappointed not to have been informed about the move.

One woman needing to use the service said: “The out of hours service in Catterick Garrison was shut over the weekend and anyone needing help had to go to Northallerton or Darlington.

“I can drive so it wasn't a problem to take my son to Northallerton - but this is a large area and not everyone is lucky enough to be able to drive and have a car.

“There is no provision for transport and young families are at the mercy of friends and taxis for their health needs. It’s ridiculous that such a large area has no emergency medical provision.”

John Darley from Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group said the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust managed the problem in the correct way.

He said: “On Saturday afternoon at 1pm, due to some mild flooding that was tripping the electricity at Harewood Medical Practice in Catterick Garrison caused by a leaking roof, the out of hours service relocated temporarily to the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.

“The service was successfully relocated, with no operational or related issues for any patients, until 8am on Monday.

“Following repairs and a risk assessment at the Harewood practice, the premises were deemed safe and fit for purpose, and therefore the service resumed operations from its Catterick base that evening.”

But Cllr Blackie said: “It is 17 extra miles from Catterick to either Darlington or Northallerton - how this can be considered to have no issues for patients beggars belief.

“Those without access to a car or in the more rural areas will have been put to significant disadvantage, additional cost, and extra anxiety having to travel those extra miles.”