Increased sickness levels and maternity leave are being blamed after North Yorkshire health chiefs admitted drafting in paramedics to help cover a town’s out-of-hours GP service.

Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Selby’s night time emergency GP service, has assured patients the situation is not a cost-cutting measure and pledged the situation will be reviewed shortly.

However, the trust said the arrangement could be permanent.

The issue came to light after one concerned health worker in Selby contacted The Press to say that 19 of the overnight GP shifts had no cover between January and the end of March.

They said the situation meant Selby residents phoning for an out-of-hours GP could be left waiting for a doctor from York if they called on of the uncovered shifts.

via York Press.