A MOVE to scrap out-of-hours community nursing may be compromising patient care, according to local GPs.

As reported in last week's News, an out-of-hours nursing service, serving Chard, Ilminster and Crewkene, is being scrapped because South Somerset Primary Care Trust says it is unsafe for nurses to work alone at night.

Patients needing the service which runs from 10pm-8am will now be seen by a GP.

Dr Berge Balian, of Crewkerne Health Centre and chairman of the Somerset local medical committee, representing GPs, told the News: "I work for the out-of-hours service and there are some issues that have been raised from the South Somerset Primary Care Trust's response.

"They say they want to give the same level of care, but I doubt this will be the case."

Dr Balian said the level of care from a GP would not be the same as that from a nurse, who is more experienced at dealing with changing catheters and changing dressings.

He said the PCT had confused the two services and needed to think of an alternative.

Mr Balian said: "It will be a different level of service, it is likely to be an inferior service. But GPs will just do as they are told."

Last week the News reported that patients were scared and angry at the PCTs decision to scrap the service.

This week, Combe St Nicholas resident Lyn Gage wrote to Postbag.

She said: "As someone who has a husband terminally ill with Motor Neurone Disease, I am appalled at this news and for what it will mean for families like us."