Proposals to transform surgical services across Tayside have been approved by the NHS.

This allows NHS Tayside to balance the number of operations that can be carried out in its three surgical sites at Ninewells Hospital, Perth Royal Infirmary and Stracathro Hospital.

The approved plans include all unscheduled surgeries going to Ninewells Hospital 24-hours a day.

There will also be an increase in the number of elective surgery patients at Perth Royal Infirmary and an increase in the number of day case and minor elective surgery patients at Stracathro Hospital.

Professor Peter Stonebridge, NHS Tayside interim medical director and consultant vascular surgeon, said: "To make sure we can meet the needs of our patients across the whole of Tayside, now and in the future, we know we have to make changes to the way surgical services in Tayside are delivered.

"Patient safety and high quality care are always our top priorities."

The team will now progress with plans such as addressing concerns raised during the consultation about access, including emergency ambulance and public transport.