The health minister has still failed to announce a firm date for full implementation of this service in Scotland

Nicola Sturgeon, SNP health spokeswoman

Health Minister Susan Deacon said �36m will be spent in the next three years to make the service available all over the country.

A similar scheme, NHS Direct, is already in place in England and Wales.

Jim McIntyre, a senior director of Scottish Enterprise, has been appointed to launch and expand NHS 24.

Small pilot schemes will be set up early next year before the helpline is rolled out nationally in the next three years.

Ms Deacon said the telephone service would give patients access to services "all day and every day".

She said: "This project will represent a transformation in the front line services available to patients.

Susan Deacon says the helpline will transform services

"Experienced nurses providing years of expertise and a reassuring voice - immediately via the telephone.

"NHS 24 will provide the public with an advice line to deal with worries.

"It also ensures patients are directed to the appropriate place in the NHS should further action be required."

The Scottish National Party said the executive had missed its own deadline for implementing NHS 24.

Health spokeswoman Nicola Sturgeon said: "In New Labour's programme for government a pledge was made that the NHS telephone advice service would be up and running by early 2000.

"It is now mid-December, a similar programme is up and running in England and Wales, yet the health minister has still failed to announce a firm date for full implementation of this service in Scotland."