Scotland's health secretary will pledge to protect frontline NHS services and other key health policies, in the face of possible UK spending cuts.

At the SNP conference, Nicola Sturgeon will pay tribute to health service staff for their work.

The SNP deputy leader will also say free care for the elderly is "here to stay" in Scotland.

And she will attack Westminster parties for "bickering" over how to bring in such a policy south of the border.

Ms Sturgeon will also rally members of the SNP party faithful in Aviemore, ahead of a UK election which is only weeks away.

Protection pledge

Scotland's landmark policy to provide free personal care for the elderly was passed by the Scottish Parliament, after being brought forward by the previous Labour-Lib Dem Scottish government.

Ms Sturgeon will tell the final day of the conference that the UK parties want to see free care for the elderly as a means-tested policy.

"Let us be clear - free personal care is here to stay with the SNP," she will tell delegates.

The Scottish government has already pledged to try to protect Scots from whatever public spending reductions may be implemented by the next Westminster government.

Ms Sturgeon will say the Scottish NHS should be proud of its achievements, delivered under a publically-funded model, and which has cut hospital infection and improved cancer treatment.