PEOPLE from poorer areas should be given longer with their GP to tackle health inequalities, opposition politicians have said.

Extending 10 minute slots by 5 minutes would be beneficial for patients from deprived areas who are more likely to suffer from ill health, according to the Scottish Conservatives.

Glasgow has the lowest life expectancy of any area in the UK, official figures have suggested.

In 2015, the city recorded 1,448 deaths per 100,000 of population, 56% higher than neighbouring East Dunbartonshire, which had 926 deaths per 100,00

Areas in Glasgow are also the most likely to be among the poorest, with nearly half (48 per cent) of neighbourhoods among the most deprived 20 per cent including Govan, Parkhead West and Barrowfield, Barlanark, Central Easterhouse and Wyndford.

The Scottish Government has pledged to invest an extra £250 million in direct support of general practice each year by 2021.

Longer appointments could be funded using some of the cash, the Tories said.

Miles Briggs, Tory health spokesman, said: “Extra money for general practice is something the Scottish Conservatives have demanded for some time.

“Now it’s been agreed, we need to talk about how that is going to be spent.

“We believe one area worth looking at is longer appointments for patients in poorer areas who we know are more likely to suffer from a range of illnesses.

“Even extending the time they spend with a doctor from 10 minutes to 15 minutes could make a huge difference for their health and wellbeing.

“Of course, GPs are already under immense pressure, and this is something that would require good planning and additional funding.

“But this is the sort of discussion we have to have, and this health advisory board will do exactly that.”

Mr Briggs was joined by leader Ruth Davidson in Edinburgh to launch a new board made up of senior health professionals from a range of organisations, which will look at a range of health policies and report back to the party ahead of the next the Holyrood election.