An NHS recruitment crisis is taking its toll on out-of-hours services across Highland Perthshire.
Angry residents got the chance to grill health chiefs at a packed public meeting in Ballinluig.
More than 150 people attended the event organised by the Highland Perthshire Communities Partnership.
Health board bosses said problems with service provision had been aggravated by a failure to recruit doctors, particularly within the GP primary care sector, with some vacancies only attracting a single candidate.
Residents said they had to make 90-mile round trips to Dundee to get help in the evenings, and it was pointed out many had to drive pass Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI) on their way to King’s Cross Hospital.
The single Tayside service was created last June in a move bosses hoped would allow for better coordination across all areas.
Residents have also claimed there has been poor ambulance cover in Pitlochry, with just one vehicle available to serve the town and surrounding area.
Murdo Fraser MSP, who attended the meeting, called for a health care hub to be set up at PRI, an option health bosses said they are looking into.
“The attendance at this meeting reflects the real public concern that exists in the area in relation to accessing NHS services,” said Mr Fraser.
“People are deeply unhappy at the prospect of having to travel to Dundee on evenings and weekends to access out-of-hours services, especially when the weather is bad.”
Local councillor Ian Campbell added: “It is obvious that NHS Tayside really needs to examine how it approaches healthcare in its rural areas.
“Their current strategy has been too Dundee-centric in its desire to have as many healthcare solutions as possible on one site.
“This policy does not suit rural areas and there needs to be creative thinking about how we use resources we have outwith Perth and Dundee.”
Earlier this month, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced £27 million to train more doctors, nurses and midwives.
Dr Jane Bruce, clinical director of the Tayside out-of-hours service said she was delighted to see a big turn-out at Ballinluig.
“We need to ensure that NHS Tayside’s out-of-hours services work as effectively as possible, particularly in light of ongoing challenges we face, such as an ageing population, geographical distances and an increasing number of people with more complex, multiple conditions.”
She added the service will be continually reviewed to attract new GPs.