PATIENTS fighting for an out-of-hours GP service to be reinstated have welcomed plans for a new urgent care clinic.

The Cornwall Primary Care Trust and private contractor Serco have agreed to provide an appointment-based GP clinic at Stratton Hospital following increasing demands for improvements to out-of-hours care.

North Cornwall Healthwatch representative, Candy Baker, said: "I think this is very, very positive. I am very pleased and so are my colleagues."

Campaigners, councillors and residents have been fighting for improvements to provision in the Bude-Stratton area after its out-of-hours GP and car was moved 20 miles away to Launceston.

Some protestors claimed the move could put lives at risk because of the distances involved.

The appointment-based GP clinic at Stratton Hospital will run for a few hours on Saturdays and Sundays, when most call-outs are made, for a trial period of three months.

Serco and the trust say consideration will also be given to running additional clinics on public holidays.

The decision was made following a meeting between Heathwatch, Serco, Stratton Medical Centre and the PCT on Friday.

MP Dan Rogerson said the meeting represented a step forward and assured people there would be no further changes without proper communication with the community.

A car will be made available at Stratton Hospital for the weekend clinic GP to use on call-outs.

The area GP and car which was moved to Launceston will continue to be available at the same time and throughout the rest of the week for out-of-hours home visits.

Patients will continue to be offered clinic-based appointments where a patient is able and willing to travel.

Serco and the trust say an ad hoc clinic will run in Stratton if there is demand for it, but patients can choose an earlier or more convenient appointment at a clinic further away.

The weekend clinics will be accessible through Serco's contact centre on 0845 2000227.