Family doctors in Airedale are close to agreeing new contracts that could see them opt out of providing out of hours care.

General practitioners have voted in principle to accepting the new GMS contracts put in front of them.

However, money has yet to be put on the table by government health chiefs.

Chairman of the professional executive committee Dr Maggie Helliwell said: "The final details and pricing of the contract have yet to be revealed as a proportion of them require primary parliamentary legislation.

"The key change for the PCT will be that GPs are able to opt out of providing out of hours care to their patients from April 2004.

"The PCT will take over this responsibility and plans are already under way to provide a multi-disciplinary service covering medical, nursing and appropriate social care, integrated with the accident and emergency department at Airedale Hospital."

"The new contract will also allow GPs to provide 'enhanced' services within primary care."

The PCT will be holding a workshop to discuss the implication of the changes and draw up a strategy for the services.