English GPs have indicated they would like to work in Scotland following the Scottish Government's decision to abolish a bureaucratic performance-related pay scheme, according to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Ms Sturgeon said the decision to abolish the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), which awards cash points for the completion of NHS priorities, will reduce bureaucracy.

But she recognised other challenges remain after Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie accused her government of "napping" and living in "denial" about the problems in the health service.

He said: "Last week the First Minister told me GPs were happy with her plans for primary care, but look at what the chair of the Royal College of GPs said this week: 'The Scottish Government needs to act urgently. It has stalled, sitting fallow. The government needs to stop prevaricating and deliver immediate action, not more promises for tomorrow'.

"So, GPs are far from happy. This morning Shona Robison addressed the GP conference. What new and immediate action did she commit to?"

Ms Sturgeon quoted Alan McDevitt, chair of the BMA Scottish GPs committee, who said the abolition of QOF was "a bold move" which "will have a positive effect on practices, by reducing workload and bureaucracy, allowing GPs to focus on the complex care needs of their patients".

She said: "I can also read out quotes from social media this morning of GPs in England hearing that announcement and wishing they could come to Scotland to practice instead."

But Mr Rennie complained the abolition of the QOF would not be completed for two years while other NHS challenges require "immediate action".

"Today, NHS Fife told me they are having to step in to save Methil practice," he said.

"Yesterday, we learned of pressures in Aberdeen for GPs at night-time and Dumfries & Galloway NHS issued a recruitment warning.

"The First Minister said she is doing everything she could but 99% of GPs said it was not enough.

"The truth is the Scottish Government has been caught napping. Ministers say everything is fine. Everyone else says it is not.

"It is the police all over again. I am trying to shake the government and the First Minister out of her denial.

"When will she open her eyes. When will she end the denial?"

Ms Sturgeon said: "I don't say everything is fine. That's why I was able last week to list a long list of initiatives, backed by resources, that Shona Robison and the government were taking."

She added: "We are working closely and constructively with GPs to deal with recruitment challenges, to deal with the pressures that come from the changing demographics of our country, changing patterns of technology on how healthcare is delivered, to make sure that we have a system and model of primary care that is fit for practice, not just now but in the years that lie ahead.

"We are determined that that is backed by a modern fit-for-practice GP contract.

"I think that is exactly the action people would expect from the government, working with GPs, today."

Some of the social media comments referred to during First Minister's Questions included:

David Shepherd, a GP trainer from Leicester, said: "Lots of GPs might emigrate to Scotland's new QOF free contract 2017. Are you listening Jeremy Hunt?"

The Twitter feed of the RCGP's Associate In Training programme suggested the Rightmove property website would crash as a result of the QOF announcement.

Dr Dom Shirt, a GP trainer from Sheffield, said he is "moving to Scotland".

"No QOF in Scotland by 2016 - Shona Robison, save us in England," he said.