A decision to appoint a new provider for out-of-hours GP cover in Shropshire has gone to an independent panel for review.

The service had been operated by Shropdoc, a co-operative of local GPs, since 1996, but commissioners at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin announced they intended to switch to Wiltshire-based Medvivo.

The commissioning body said it came to the decision after a “robust, transparent and fair commissioning process”.

The NHS England Independent Patient Choice and Procurement Panel is expected to offer advice before NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin makes a final decision.

Documents were sent to the review body earlier this month and NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin said it would fully comply with any requests or recommendations made by the panel.

Concerns had been raised about the future of the service if it changed hands, but a spokesperson for the board said: “It will continue to be a locally provided service, staffed by local clinicians, with face-to-face appointments forming a core element and remaining available at the out-of-hours bases and via home visits.”

The commissioning body also said that a decision to award the contract to Medvivo would not be a cost cutting measure.