A survey has revealed that the majority of patients in Scotland are able to speak to their GP within 48 hours.
Results for 2010 revealed that the proportion of patients able to make an appointment in advance has also increased.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon (pictured) said the poll findings demonstrated “significant improvements” in patient access to doctors.
She said: “GPs are often the first point of contact for patients when they need treatment or healthcare advice and it’s vital that people can get prompt access to their GP when they need to.
“However there is still room for improvement and the Scottish government is currently working with the Royal College of GPs in Scotland to develop guidance that will help all GP surgeries address any issues surrounding access to ensure they are offering a high-quality service that meets local needs.”
The survey was sent to a random sample of patients at 1,014 GP practices across Scotland.
Its findings suggest that 94.5% of patients are able to communicate with their GP within 48 hours, compared with 89.6% last year.
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