A memo sent to Western Urgent Care Staff (WUC) on March 3, reveals that covers for the 'Redeye' period, from 12 midnight to 8.30am each morning, will consist of just three doctors for the whole Western area.

The memo states: "With effect from July 1 (2010), WUC will operate with three GPs covering our area, instead of our current level of five GPs ie, one for each base.

"As a result of this new arrangement, the three GPs and associated staff will provide cover for the whole of the Western Area, out of three bases ie, Altnagelvin, Tyrone County Hospital and Erne Hospital."

DUP Alderman Maurice Devenney told the Sentinel that he "condemned" the move and said the move was "unbelievable".

"Soon it will get to the stage where we will have no doctors covering at night at all. What this will result in is added pressure on an already overstretched accident and emergency service. When people in the middle of the night cannot get access to a doctor they will simply call an ambulance or arrive at hospital."

A meeting to inform "all employees directly affected by the re-configuration of services" was due to take place last night.

East Londonderry DUP MLA George Robinson has already written to Health Minister Michael McGimpsey and the Chief Executive of the Western Health and Social Care Trust, Elaine Way, stating that he found the contents of the memo outlining the plans "horrific and unacceptable".

In his letter to the health chiefs, Mr Robinson stated: "I am extremely concerned that this reduction could have devastating consequences, especially in conjunction with pressures I highlighted in recent months that the Ambulance Service is under locally in Limavady.

"This reduction in night time services, has the potential to add pressure to an already overstretched ambulance service as people will turn to them if they cannot get a quick response from the Out of Hours doctors service."

Mr Robinson also told the Sentinel: "This is an issue that crosses all possible divides - social, religious, political and economic. I am therefore calling on all elected representatives for the Limavady Borough Council area to join in fighting this 40 per cent cut in an emergency service for all the community. Only by showing an united front can this attack on front line services be opposed.

"It is unbelievable that Western Trust area will have to cope from July 1st this year, with only three doctors on duty from Limavady to Enniskillen."

Mr Robinson also expressed concern that the majority of the Western Trust area is rural and that it will take longer to reach patients in rural areas that it will in an urban setting.

In a statement to the Sentinel, a spokeswoman for the Health and Social Care Board (West) and the Public Health Agency confirmed that the changes are planned to take effect in July.

"Revised staffing arrangements to GP Out of Hours Services in the west of Northern Ireland are being introduced on 1 July.