Liberals in waiting times pledge

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The Scottish Liberal Democrat Party has promised a Swedish-style system of maximum waiting times for receiving hospital treatment.

Leader Nicol Stephen pledged maximum waiting for each stage of the process.

And during campaigning on Wednesday he also said a coalition deal with the SNP was still not on the cards while it insisted on an independence referendum.

Mr Stephen repeated the position in an interview with BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme.

The Lib Dems said their pledges would mean;

<li>access to primary health care within a day</li>

<li>a full consultation with a GP within five days</li>

<li>diagnostic tests within 90 days</li>

<li>and treatment within a further 90 days.</li></ul>

The party has also promised 100 new local health centres to deliver faster diagnosis.

Speaking on a visit to Forth Valley College in Stirling where he met student nurses, Mr Stephen said: "This is a major commitment to more local health care. Under Liberal Democrat plans people in every community will see improved local NHS facilities."

Mr Stephen earlier dismissed a multi-option referendum on independence, including a slot for the Lib Dems' preference of more powers for Holyrood, as a "red herring".