The government has set out new plans to ensure a high standard of out of hours healthcare.

The move came in response to concern that a new contract for GPs allowing them to opt out of weekend and night time work, which comes into force at the end of the year, will reduce quality and impose too many burdens on accident and emergency departments.

However health minister John Hutton announced on Thursday that new services stepping into fill the gaps will be regularly audited.

He also unveiled new national quality guidelines for service providers such as nurse practitioners, NHS primary care trusts and private sector companies.

They make clear that access to GPs will be available if "there is a clinical need" and that patients will be treated "in the most appropriate location".

"Patients are entitled to expect the NHS to provide high quality, accessible and comprehensive primary care services during the evenings and at weekends," Hutton said.

"I am determined that this will continue to be the case once the responsibility for organising out-of-hours services transfers from GPs to PCTs later this year.

"GPs will continue to play a leading role in helping to deliver out-of-hours services and working alongside nurses and other practitioners will help ensure patients get the right service at the right time from the right person."

Doctors' welcome

The Royal College of GPs welcomed the announcement.

"The changes to out-of-hours services provide an opportunity for GPs to work with other health professionals to deliver a co-ordinated approach that means patients will get the care that they need from a person who has the skills best placed to meet those needs," RCGP vice-chairman Dr Tina Ambury said.

"The onus is now on PCTs to make sure they have GPs in place by December to work in the new out of hours teams."

But Liberal Democrat health spokesman Paul Burstow said the government had not gone far enough.

"Patients need to know they will receive high quality services at evenings and weekends if they need them," he said.

"Too little information on the changes to the system has left patients confused and bewildered about where to go.

"Patients should not have to deal with a minefield of confusing information, which requires a route map and compass to find access to the appropriate treatment.

"A lack of clear access to GP services is already putting added burdens on struggling A&E departments. Chronic shortages of key staff are holding back the development of good quality healthcare closer to home."