THE GP out-of-hours service and the NHS 111 telephone line for medical advice are due to be merged in Cornwall.

A partnership between the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Kernow Health CIC and Vocare Ltd has been chosen to run the new amalgamated service from December.

At present, the GP out-of-hours service is run by Devon Doctors and the NHS 111 service is provided by the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Managers say bringing the two services together means that patients will get the right help from a mix of clinical specialists, such as nurses, GPs and pharmacists.

The move should also relieve the pressure felt by the ambulance service and A&E departments, says the NHS Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust.

Patients will not see any change to how they access these services and will continue to call 111 for non-urgent health advice, to speak to an out-of-hours doctor, arrange an appointment at a treatment centre or a home visit, if appropriate for their medical need.