A HEALTH board has warned that it is struggling to deliver a safe out-of-hour service for patients.

NHS Lanarkshire said it was facing "major challenges" to provide patients with care at evenings and weekends because of a shortage of GPs.

Currently out-of-hours services are located in emergency departments at Wishaw General Hospital, Monklands Hospital and Hairmyres Hospital.

Two other satellite centres at Central Health Centre, Cumbernauld, and Lanark Health Centre have not been open since June 2014 because of a lack of available GPs.

The board said, at times, one or two of the main hospital centres have also been closed for the same reason.

NHS Lanarkshire is proposing to centralise services at one primary care out-of-hours centre at Douglas Street Community Health Clinic in Hamilton or two, including Airdrie Community Health Centre.

It has launched a public consultation to give patients a chance to have a say in the decision.

Craig Cunningham, Head of South Lanarkshire Community Health Partnership, NHS Lanarkshire, said: "Fewer and fewer GPs are working out of hours both in Lanarkshire and in other parts of Scotland. We have reached the point where it is becoming extremely difficult to provide a safe service. Staffing is extremely unpredictable which is affecting patients who often have to wait longer to be seen.

"We want to hear people's views on the proposals to ensure we put in place the best solution for the people of Lanarkshire."

The consultation process includes eight open public meetings at a range of venues across Lanarkshire. People are also encouraged to share their views through an online questionnaire at www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk/involved/consultation/OOH .