AN out-of-hours medical service comes into operation in east Durham tonight.
When patients ring their GP's surgery at night or during the weekend they will either be transferred automatically to the new service or given the number to ring.
A nurse or doctor will offer advice and, if necessary, arrange an appointment at the out-of-hours centre, at Peterlee Health Centre.
In some circumstances a home visit or admission to hospital may be arranged.
A total of 34 GPs in the south of the district have joined forces with Easington Primary Care Group, which is responsible for local frontline services, and Healthcall Ltd to provide the new service.
Patients using the service may be seen by a doctor from a neighbouring GP practice or a deputising doctor from Healthcall.
Dr Richard Abbott, the local GP who chairs the care group, said: "This is a huge step forwards for Easington GPs and the people of Easington.
"The service will mean families are able to access advice and treatment quickly when their GP surgery is closed.
"This new service gets us off to a good start in providing access to a doctor through a single point of call.
"In addition, a managed-out-of-hours service will help us to improve the recruitment and retention of GPs in Easington.''
The service comes into operation at 6pm. The centre is behind Argos and in front of the town's leisure centre. Access is through the entrance to Broadclose car park.
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