The Health Service Executive has announced plans to improve out of hours GP services in north Dublin.
The scheme will involve a centralised call centre catering for the estimated 2,000 people a week who require a doctor overnight and at weekends.
GPs who had been in talks with the HSE to set up a similar service have criticised the move.
They say the State taking over responsibility for out of hours service is a major departure from current practice.
GP co-operatives operate in other areas outside Dublin but it is believed the HSE could not reach agreement with doctors in north Dublin and pressed ahead with its own plans for the service.
It has now invited doctors or private companies to tender for the provision of the service, which would be operated and overseen by the executive.
