A one-stop shop for urgent GP care in Oxford opens its doors today.
The service, at St Bartholomew's Medical Centre, in Manzil Way, off Cowley Road, will offer out-of-hours patient cover.
Although 27 out of 29 GP practices signed up, critics claim it will monopolise evening care.
The appointment-only service, set up by Oxford City Primary Care Trust, will operate between 6.30pm and 8am on weekdays, and noon on Saturday and 8am on Monday.
Patients who phone their doctor will be asked to call the centre, where a duty doctor will offer advice over the phone, invite them to the centre, or visit them at home.
Practices pay a subscription and GPs share the workload, effectively earning their money back.
Dr Gordon Gancz, a partner at King Edward Street practice, refused to sign up.
He said "I would pay a high rate as we have a large patient list, but many are undergraduates, who rarely use out-of-hours cover.
"I would be charged about £460.30p for each patient."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article