Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness will also host discussions next month.

Cancer specialist Professor David Kerr chairs the group, which will report to ministers next spring on reforming Scotland’s health service.

The advisory group faces a difficult balancing act between retaining essential services for local communities and improving centralised specialist services for an ageing population.

At Leith Community Treatment Centre today, the Health Minister said, “We need to take a hard look at how the NHS can continue to provide top-quality health services in the future.

“Patients expect their care will be personal to their needs, as local as possible, as specialised as necessary and of the highest quality. We are totally committed to delivering that.

“It is clear long-term decisions need to be informed by a national framework, built on the best evidence.

“That is why we have established an independent advisory group, to lead work to develop this framework.

“I want to see as wide a discussion as possible so that the advisory group can deliver a bold and confident vision. That means listening carefully to frontline staff, patients, carers and the public.”

Professor Kerr said a newsletter about the meetings would be issued to NHS workers and to the public. He said, “We need to plan carefully if we are to provide a service that provides maximum benefit for patients and their families.

“I am well aware of the concerns there are in some areas, but our job in the National Framework Advisory Group is to develop proposals that could be applicable across Scotland.

“The advisory group won’t be making recommendations on local service change. Instead, we’ve been tasked with drawing up a blueprint for the health service that will set out shared principles for service improvement.

“We hope this will help Ministers to reach a view about how healthcare can be best delivered in Scotland.

“We will also be holding local meetings in a number of venues across Scotland. But we are conscious not everyone can make it to these venues. That’s why we have already met with interested parties in other smaller meetings, and will continue to do so.

“All views will be taken into account by the advisory group as we prepare our plans.”

Because of space limitations, places at each venue will be on a first-come-first served basis. Those wishing to attend should write free to: Freepost Plus, Room GE16, St. Andrew’s House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 DIG, or e-mail at nhsfuturedebate@scotland.gsi.gov.uk. Comments by post or e-mail are also welcome.