Out of hours doctor services in Wolverhampton will change after the company that has provided treatment for 15 years lost its contract.

From October calls to GPs, when city surgeries are closed, will be dealt with by Birmingham-based Nestor Primecare Services Ltd rather than Wolverhampton Doctors On Call.

Primecare already handles phone calls for the out of hours service. Now it will also supply GPs for patients.

The move has prompted fears that doctors from outside of Wolverhampton will be treating patients, although bosses said they intended to use local GPs “wherever possible”. Out of 64 doctors employed by Wolverhampton Doctors on Call 54 were from the city.

Lynne Allen, for Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust, said the contract was changed after it was put out to tender.

“Patients should not be affected by the change in provider, they will continue to access the service in the same way and the service will continue to be based at the Phoenix Health Centre on Parkfield Road.”

In a letter to his staff leaked to the Express & Star Dr Tim Crossley, chairman of Wolverhampton Doctors On Call, said the firm had lost out to Primecare due to its lack of “governance arrangements” but said the decision was nothing to do with quality of care.”