Scotland’s first minister has announced a network of walk-in GP services to deliver one million more appointments across the country.
John Swinney said they would operate seven days a week, from noon to 20:00, to tackle “the 08:00 rush for appointments” putting pressure on surgeries.
The announcement came during his keynote speech at the SNP conference in Aberdeen.
Swinney also reiterated his commitment to Scottish independence, revealed a sponsorship scheme for social care workers, and criticised Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over Labour’s record at Westminster
The first minister said there was “no more important issue” than the NHS.
He told delegates that his walk-in GP scheme would begin at 15 sites then expand across Scotland.
He said: “They will break from the status quo. They will add to the care we already value. Staffed by GPs and nurses.
“And you won’t need to call up for an appointment. That means more people can go after work – when it fits with their lives.”
Swinney promised that the first site would be up and running “within the year”.
PA MediaThe first minister also said Scotland was being damaged by a morally wrong “race to the right” by parties at Westminster.
He said this had led to an “80 per cent fall” in the number of overseas nurses the NHS was able to recruit and the shutdown of a visa route for care home staff.
Swinney said: “Thousands of care workers here in the UK entirely legally have been left high and dry.
“Unable to work, while care homes are crying out for staff. In what world does that make any sense?”
He said the Scottish government would sponsor overseas staff so they can “work, pay tax and help keep Scotland’s care homes running”.
Swinney said Scotland’s older people “must not pay the price for Westminster’s prejudice”.
PA MediaThe first minister went on to criticise Sir Keir Starmer, who he said had promised to be a left-wing Labour leader but had become a “right-wing prime minister”.
“Now he’s dressing up as Nigel Farage,” he said.
He said Starmer had not produced the progressive policies that had earned Labour its votes.
Swinney said he was committed to offering Scotland a “fresh start” through independence.
He said it would be “a modern, outward-looking, inclusive compassionate country.
“Not a devolved nation but the world’s newest independent nation.”
On Saturday, SNP members backed Swinney’s plan to declare a mandate for a second independence referendum if the party wins a majority of seats in next year’s Holyrood election.
Swinney told delegates his proposals were the most realistic way of pursuing the goal, based on a precedent which brought about the 2014 referendum.
Scotland voted against leaving the UK by a margin of 55.3% to 44.7% in September 2014.
Sir Keir Starmer, who would have to agree to any vote, previously said he could not imagine indyref 2 taking place during his time in office.