HEALTH bosses are considering taking action against Chippenham GP Barney Williams after he stopped providing out of hours cover for his 4,000 patients.

They say Dr Williams, who has practised at the Marshfield Road Surgery for 32 years, gave no formal warning of his intention to withdraw the night-time service from 6pm on Tuesday and was in breach of his contract.

But the 63-year-old GP, who has provided his own out of hours cover for more than 12 years, says he told health bosses in April that he could no longer go on providing round-the-clock care.

The Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust said it is considering what action it may take against Dr William and is putting into place alternative out of hours cover.

It said GPs have a legal responsibility for 24 hour services for patients registered with them, including out of hours care.

Dr Simon Burrell, chairman of the trust's professional executive committee, said: "Dr Williams feels he cannot provide safe 24 hour services to his patients but has taken this action in direct conflict with his contractual obligations.

"Nonetheless, and despite him being in breach of contract, we will continue to work with him to ensure safe services are provided for his patients in the future."

Dr Williams, who will continue to open his practice from 8.30am to 6pm weekdays, says that job pressures have meant he has only been able to take 11 days' holiday in the last five years.

He said: "The Government has laid down criteria for safe and satisfactory service and I cannot meet that. I made the trust aware of this at the beginning of the year and have had no help."

Gwyn Comley, vice chairman of the Friends of Marshfield Surgery, said Dr Williams' hands were tied.

"If Dr Williams is unable to provide the service then he can't," she said.

"He did tell the primary care trust. He is the only doctor at the surgery and the pressure to provide 24-hour care, seven days a week, 365 days a year was great. We cannot see what else Dr Williams could have done."

But the primary care trust was critical of Dr Williams for failing to pass on details of the alternative care arrangements it had made for his patients, including putting alternative telephone numbers on his surgery answer phone.

A spokesman for the trust said: "Our responsibility is to make sure there are other arrangements but we needed the support of the GP to give out that information. This did not happen. The matter will be dealt with by the chief executive."

Dr Williams disputed the trust's claim. He said:"I care for my patients and although understand the primary care trust has made alternative arrangements for the out of hours care I feel they have not told my patients or myself of those arrangements."

Between the hours of 6.15pm and 8.30am Dr Williams' patients can telephone the primary care centre at Chippenham Community Hospital on (01249) 456530.

In the case of major trauma or life-threatening illness people should telephone 999 as usual. NHS Direct on 0845 4647 can also provide telephone advice.