Changes to out-of-hours service

The new service aims to give more appropriate patient care

People in Cornwall who use the out of hours medical service, KernowDoc, could be seen by a nurse or paramedic from the autumn, rather than a family GP.

From 1 October, GPs no longer have to provide their patients with round-the-clock care, seven days a week.

The KernowDoc service will continue, but only 75% of family doctors have signed up to provide the new service.

A trial scheme using a paramedic is already under way in certain parts of the county.

There is a move to ensure the right people are seeing the right patients at the right place Dr Phil Trevail, KernowDoc

KernowDoc's medical manager, Dr Phil Trevail, who will retain the post after the changeover, says it is not due to cost cutting.

Dr Trevail said: "There are times when patients are seeing doctors when they should be seeing nurses.

"There are also times when perhaps 999 ambulances are being dispatched to cases which would be best dealt with in other ways.

"I think there is a move to ensure the right people are seeing the right patients at the right place."