BROMSGROVE'S health service was dealt another blow this week when it was announced residents would have to go as far as Redditch or Worcester if they need a GP after 11pm.

As of September, the Primary Care Centre (PCC) - which is based at the Princess of Wales Community Hospital, will be closed between 11pm and 8am.

When people need to see a doctor they will have to call nurses based in Worcester or Kidderminster and the nurse will give them advice over the phone, ask them to come to the centre or send a GP out to them.

The four centres at Kidderminster, Worcester, Redditch and Evesham will remain open after that time and townsfolk will be advised which is the best centre for them to attend.

All the centres will be linked electronically.

If people do not have their own transport, a GP will be sent out to them in a car with a driver. This aims to reduce the doctor's tiredness.

Bromsgrove and Redditch Primary Care Trust (PCT) spokesman Neil Bucktin said: "The service is not being used in Bromsgrove. The demand is so low it doesn't make sense to keep it open at that time."

Community Health Council (CHC) vice-chairman Kath Tedstone said: "I don't approve of yet another closure in Bromsgrove. They're stripping the town of its health services and it needs to stop."

Eamonn Kelly, the chief executive at Redditch and Bromsgrove PCT, said: "This proposal will ensure that patients in Redditch and Bromsgrove have access to services which meet the stringent new quality standards laid down by the Government."

He added that GPs in Bromsgrove and Redditch support the changes.

The phone number for the PCC is 01562 755022.