They may pay

The 64-year-old doctor from Chippenham's Marshfield Road Surgery was sacked by the PCT for failing to provide out of hours treatment for his 3,500 patients and his NHS contract was terminated in January but just before an appeal last week, Dr Williams and the PCT reached an agreement to reinstate him.

"I have never been the sort of person who is out for monetary compensation but it is something I shall have to think about," he told the Gazette.

Meanwhile, North Wiltshire MP James Gray has written to the PCT demanding an explanation into the way it unfairly treated the GP.

He said: "At the time I argued against his unwelcome dismissal by the PCT ostensibly on the grounds that he was unable to provide 24 hour cover for his patients, not least because we knew that the Government were just about to remove the requirement on GPs.

"I have now written to the chairman of the PCT to demand a full and apologetic explanation of the circumstances surrounding Dr Williams' dismissal."

Under the terms of the settlement reached with the PCT, Dr Williams said he was unable to reveal any details about it, but the PCT has announced he will be taking on responsibility for the out of hours care in the short term.

Dr Williams, the only full-time doctor at the Marshfield Road Surgery, where he has worked since 1970, had stopped providing out of hours care because he claimed he was unable to provide a service of a suitable standard seven days a week, and he was refused membership of an out of hours cooperative set up by local surgeries.

But new contracts for GPs will allow them to opt out of their out of hours duties. A new company set up by Corsham doctor Dr Andrew Cowie, who is the chairman of the GPs' out-of-hours co-operative, will provide cover for all local doctors, from October which means Dr Williams might have only a few weeks providing 24-hour cover.

A statement from the PCT said: "Dr Williams has agreed to accept full responsibility for his patients at all times until the PCT is in a position to allow him and GP colleagues in the PCT area to withdraw from out of hours responsibility in accordance with new national arrangements.

"The PCT will now be considering a new application from Dr Williams to provide care for his patients and it is likely that Dr Williams will resume the provision of NHS care to his patients from 8am on Monday, September 6.

"The PCT has written to Dr Williams' patients about these arrangements. In the meantime the temporary arrangements made for their care will continue."

They said Dr Williams had withdrawn his appeal to the Family Health Services Appeal Authority against the PCT's decision and expressed an intention to close the door on the whole subject, saying: "No further statements will be made about this matter by the PCT or Dr Williams, or his representatives."

Dr Williams, who has continued to run his practice on a private basis since his sacking, said he was delighted with the outcome and looking forward to getting on with business as usual.

"I am very pleased to be opening as announced on September 6. I've kept the practice ticking over.

"There has been great rejoicing among the patients."

He said the core team of staff was in place and a high level of service would be offered.

About 260 of his 3,500 patients refused to move to another practice and stuck with Dr Williams on a private basis.

He said: "I am very grateful to the patients for all their support and loyalty and the way they have never tired of supporting us.

"I am also very grateful to the people who came with us to Gloucester for the appeal.

"We've had all sorts of flowers and gifts, including a £100 bottle of champagne and a dozen eggs, both of which are much appreciated."

Cedric Norton, chairman of the Friends of Marshfield Road Surgery, said they were planning a big party for patients to celebrate the GP's reinstatement.

The event at Sheldon School Hall will kick off at 8pm on September 14 with a short meeting but patients are invited to bring food along for a social event and celebration afterwards.

He did not think the doctor had capitulated by agreeing to take up the burden of out of hours care once again.

"He has just agreed to do this in the short term," he said.

"Although I am chairman of the Friends we have all been in this together and everybody needs a pat on the back for what we have done.

"It is a victory for the people and a victory for common sense."

Hathaway Surgery, which had temporary care of Dr Williams' patient list for the last eight months, said it was now able to take on permanently any patients who chose to register with the practice.

The Hathaway surgery is relocating to a new building on the former Allington school site, which will open in December next year.

The Barney Williams saga

April 2002: Dr Williams says he warned the PCT he could no longer provide an out of hours service at the required standard.

October 1 2002: Dr Williams backs out of his contractual responsibility to provide out of hours care for his patients.

December 2003: The Department of Health appointed Dr Richard Ough to investigate whether the PCT had the right to close Dr Williams' contract. He found the trust did have that right and recommended the contract should be terminated at midnight on January 30.

January 30 2004: Dr Williams contract is terminated. The 3,500 patient list is transferred to the Hathaway Surgery.

April 20 2004: Patients put health chiefs in the hot seat at a meeting.

April 29: Patients travel to the House of Commons to hand over a 1,700-name petition to MP James Gray.

July 10: Patients organise a Mourning March through Chippenham, complete with black clothes and a coffin.

August 18: The PCT and Dr Williams reach an agreement before an appeal by Dr Williams against his sacking.

September 6: Marshfield Road Surgery due to re-open to NHS patients.

October: Out of hours care due to be handed over to a new company, Medical Services.