Whether it is meeting its 48 hour access target to a GP surgery and whether patients can book an appointment in advance of this and, if so,…

We expect each primary medical services practice to establish appropriate access arrangements in accordance with local circumstances and to meet the requirement of the guarantee. Funding is provided to this end through the Scottish General Medical Services Contract arrangements.
The 48 hour access target is currently included in the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) under the new GP contract arrangements. This means that practices participating in the QOF are rewarded for the achievement of the 48 hour access target. In 2004-05, some 97% of participating Scottish practices qualified for and received the “access bonus” through the QOF. Similarly high levels of compliance were reported by NHS boards through the 2004-05 Performance Assessment Framework.
The 48 hour access target should not preclude the ability of patients and practitioners to pre-book routine appointments.
Information on the guarantee and the guidance issued to NHS boards is available publicly from the 48 hour access website http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sehd/48houraccess.