NHS Scotland will deliver an extra 100,000 appointments in GP surgeries over the next year in a bid to end the 08:00 "lottery", First Minister John Swinney has pledged.
The SNP leader made the announcement as he unveiled his administration's programme for government 12 months ahead of the Holyrood election in May 2026.
As well as putting the NHS "at the heart" of the legislative and policy agenda, Swinney announced his government would permanently ban peak rail fares and end an alcohol ban on ScotRail trains.
The BMA union, which represents Scotland's doctors, said it did not believe the extra 100,000 appointments promised in GP surgeries would end the 8am rush to book an appointment.
The Conservatives said Swinney's statement was "more of the same" while Labour said the first minister had failed to meet the challenges facing the country.
The programme for government sets out the policy and legislative goals for the next parliamentary year.
It is usually published after the summer recess, but Swinney moved the date this year to "enable a full year to delivery" before the Holyrood election.
He told MSPs at Holyrood that his plans amounted to a "programme for a better Scotland".
