FIRST Minister John Swinney opened Scotland’s first walk-in GP clinic in Edinburgh today.

The facility in the city’s Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre — the first of 15 planned as part of a £36 million pilot — aims to provide patients with same-day GP services without the need for an appointment.

Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Swinney said: “I know how important access to urgent medical care is for people, and how important it is for people to get the right care, in the right place at the right time.

“Open seven days from 12pm-8pm, these walk-in clinics will deliver over one million additional GP and nurse appointments, making it easier than ever for people to access urgent care when they need it.”

NHS Lothian director of primary care Tracey McKigen added: “We are proud to be launching this pilot service in collaboration with the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership.

“It will add to the range of health services in Wester Hailes and make it easier for local patients registered with eight eligible GP practices in south-west Edinburgh to get same day care for new, urgent conditions.”