PATIENTS would contact their own GP surgery by calling a central switchboard under proposals being discussed by the Scottish Government.
A consultation on GP telephone numbers has been announced by Health Secretary Shona Robison which includes using similar technology to NHS 24 for reaching practices during opening hours.
The Scottish Government says such a "call handling system" would not replace surgery receptionists who would still speak to the patients in order to make appointments.
The consultation paper says: "One option may be to look into whether a call handling system could viably be introduced. This system, similar to that of the NHS 24 111 system, would see calls routed through a switchboard operator who would direct the call to the local practice."
Ensuring patients do not have to pay more than the cost of a standard local call when ringing their GP, is also part of the consultation. A ban on 084 numbers - which "can be very expensive if called from a mobile phone" - is proposed.
Access to GPs is an ongoing source of frustration for some patients with people complaining they have to call the same number repeatedly to get through at the busiest times of the day.
A service when lines are engaged which allows patients to type in their phone number and have their call returned when someone is free, is also suggested.
Ms Robison said: "We are launching this consultation on GP telephone numbers so everyone is able to give their views on the proposals. We committed to ensure that patients are not financially disadvantaged when contacting their GP practice. We've already changed the law to ensure premium-rate numbers cannot be used by GP practices.
"We also introduced last year the free 111 number for NHS 24 last year - removing any barrier for the public to access health advice out of hours.
"In recent years '084' numbers have begun to be charged at a high rate when called from mobile phones, and this is clearly not a good situation for patients."
Dr Alan McDevitt, chairman of the British Medical Association's Scottish GP Committee, said: "Many GP practices were encouraged to enter into long term contracts with phone companies as a way to improve access. Now that technology has moved on many practices are reviewing their options when their current contract expires.
"The BMA will carefully consider all the proposals in the consultation as we prepare a full response."
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