John Swinney is promising "serious action" to improve the NHS as he pledges to tackle the GP appointment "lottery."
The first minister will announce his government’s plans and priorities for the coming year in a flagship statement to Holyrood on Tuesday.
In his speech, Swinney will pledge to increase capacity in the health service to improve what he called the 8am "lottery" for making GP appointments.
The SNP leader has brought forward the annual programme for government, which he in unveiling 12 months ahead of the Holyrood election next year.
The first minister said his programme for government would "take serious action to put the NHS on track to meet the needs of the public".
"While many people's experience of their GP is excellent, for many others there is deep frustration over what has been described as the 8am lottery to make appointments," he said.
"So we will act to reduce pressure and increase capacity in the system, to make it easier for people to get the care they need, when they need it."