Health bosses insist having just one GP on call at nights and weekends in Brighton and Hove is enough to meet demand.
An out-of-hours service for the city's 250,000 residents is provided from 6.30pm to 8am during the week and all day Saturday and Sunday.
News that only a single GP was available to handle urgent cases during these times sparked concerns from residents that people could be put at risk.
However NHS Brighton and Hove told members of the city's health overview and scrutiny committee watchdog the cover was enough.
The said another GP was on standby to come in if necessary at peak times at weekends.
There is an average of between seven and ten calls between midnight and 8am during week, rising to 15 at weekends.
Most cases are dealt with at a GP outpatient’s clinic based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
About 12% of people are dealt with in their own homes at the weekend and 5% during the weekend.
The low number of home visits was questioned by committee members concerned that pressures on the single GP meant people were being forced to come out to a clinic instead of staying at home.
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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 hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel