Failings in out-of-hours care

AUDIT Scotland, the independent watchdog over how public money is spent, is a naturally cautious body. Its reports contain detailed analysis and evaluation of how taxpayers' money is spent, but with the minimum of comment. Usually, the facts are left to speak for themselves. So it is a sign of how seriously Audit Scotland considers the problem to be, that its latest report - on out-of-hours healthcare - is couched in uncharacteristically blunt language.

Since 2004, under their new contract of employment with NHS Scotland, GPs have been able to opt out of providing out-of-hours care in the evenings and at weekends. This provision, plus a generous increase in salary, was designed to meet a genuine pro...