New data shows that there were more than 7,000 consultations held at Scotland's first GP walk-in services.

There was a high on 2,299 in June as services were established.

The services are part of a pilot, testing a new way of accessing same-day care from GPs or Advanced Nurse Practitioners at a wider range of times.

The services have been designed to provide more choice for patients while helping to relieve pressure on wider NHS services.

Walk-in services were opened in six locations between February and June.

Health Secretary Angela Constance said: “We have promised to end the frustrating 8 am rush for GP appointments and this new data shows that more people are benefiting from appointment-free care, at a time that works best for them.

“Some 7,082 walk-in consultations have already been carried out - giving patients access to urgent, same-day care - and we will roll this out to many more communities over the weeks and months ahead. 

“Our focus is not simply on counting every patient, but on making every patient count. The pilot is just getting started and as it grows we will know more about how it is working.  

“But behind every attendance is a person who has received timely assessment, reassurance, treatment or advice that may have improved their experience, supported earlier intervention, or prevented a more serious outcome.

“We have opened ten of the originally planned 16 GP walk-in services in five months and will soon be announcing even more locations as the pilot expands.”