To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to improve doctors’ out-of-hours services in the Scottish Borders.

NHS Borders is responsible for providing out-of-hours primary care services in its locality. Out-of-hours services must meet the standards and criteria laid down by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (QIS). These require the new out-of-hours arrangements to be accessible, available and acceptable to patients or their representatives. NHS QIS works closely with NHS boards to ensure that services are delivered against these standards.

The Scottish Government is supporting an out-of-hours strategy group that is reviewing best practice and developing models that will continue to sustain safe and responsive patient services.