Scottish GPs want to take control of local spending priorities from primary care trusts as part of their submission to Scotland's version of the NHS plan.

Details of the submissions made by various interest groups to the Scottish plan have been kept under wraps. But a joint paper by the Royal College of General Practitioners and the British Medical Association's Scottish GP committee, published on Monday, calls for local healthcare co-operatives - collectives of GPs - to take spending power away from primary care trusts.

Insiders told HSJ these proposals were 'along the lines of the information submitted' by GPs to the Scottish Executive.

The joint paper, Valuing Scottish General Practice, also recommends the creation of a new type of NHS worker called a 'primary healthcare technician' who would take on many of the roles of practice nurses including taking blood samples, administering simple injections and changing dressings. The authors argued this would free practice nurses to do some of the jobs currently undertaken by GPs.And they also call for GPs' patient lists to be cut and consultation times to be increased to allow a more personal approach in providing care.

In a departure from the English version of the NHS plan, all health groups involved in consultation over Scotland's version of the plan have been invited by the Scottish Executive to remain in place and help with implementation.

The move has been welcomed by the groups, which include the Institute of Healthcare Management, the British Medical Association and the royal medical colleges. The plan is expected to emerge with the maximum of patriotic spin on 30 November - St Andrew's Day.

James Kennedy, the Royal College of Nursing's Scottish secretary, said the RCN had also submitted proposals for modernising health services in Scotland and that it would work with patients, colleagues and other organisations to 'influence the shape of the NHS plan in Scotland'.

Donald McNeill, secretary of the IHM in Scotland, said: 'We feel this shows a commitment from the Executive to maintaining the dialogue it has with us.

'This gives us more ownership and greater influence in the operational practice of the ideas contained within the plan.'

Scottish health minister Susan Deacon could be given a new post as Henry McLeish, the new Labour leader in Scotland, sets about reshuffling his Cabinet next week.

Ms Deacon is being linked with the post of deputy first minister or as a replacement for Sam Galbraith as education minister if, as expected, Mr McLeish is confirmed Scotland's first minister by the Parliament.

Valuing Scottish General Practice is available from the RCGP, 25 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EN2.0131-260 6800.