Survey say Scots patients are happy to see health workers other than a GP out-of-hours

The suggestion is made in a report which will be published later this week by leading medical figures in Scotland.

The analysis was carried out by the Royal Colleges of Anaesthetists, GPs, and Surgeons and Physicians, as well as the Consultants' Association.

It was a response to an inquiry by the Scottish Parliament's health committee into future planning of the NHS.

The European Working Time Directive (EWTD), which restricts the working hours of doctors, is identified as one of the underlying factors.

And as many as 21 hospitals are facing restructuring or closure as some health boards struggle to ensure provision of specialist services.

It is imperative that we deal with this issue and train more staff in line with the needs of the patients rather than the doctors Shona Robison SNP

It is claimed in the Scotland on Sunday newspaper that that there will be fewer trained GPs and by 2012 there will be a deficit of 500 GPs.

The Scottish National Party's health spokeswoman Shona Robison said: "The shortfall in the number of doctors was predicted some time ago and this is an indictment of the Scottish Government for their failure to act when they knew of the impact of the working time directive.

"While I do agree with much of what the Royal College representatives have said, I disagree with their conclusion that we need more centralisation.

"It is imperative that we deal with this issue and train more staff in line with the needs of the patients rather than the doctors as is the case at present."

�5,000 fines

The Scottish Executive said ministers had unveiled a "workforce plan" earlier this year designed to ensure there were enough doctors and medical staff to provide healthcare.

But in August, executive figures showed that 650 junior doctors in 11 of Scotland's 15 health boards were working more than the EWTD limit of 58 hours per week.

Staff shortages in some parts of the country meant not all health boards were able to comply with the new legislation immediately.

Health boards which do not comply could face fines and the British Medical Association is warning it will back any junior doctor who is forced to go over the 58 hour limit.

Health boards are liable to a �5,000 fine per breach.