NHS managers could be quizzed by the public in front of ministers, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said last night.

She promised to consider holding question-and-answer sessions in future amid disappointment in the audience at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's annual performance review. Before the session at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, scores of campaigners protested against the introduction of car parking charges at the city's hospitals.

Ms Sturgeon spoke to the protesters, promising their voices will be heard as a probe into the way boards levy parking fees is conducted by the Scottish Government.

However, during the three- hour meeting which followed, frustration grew among some members of the audience that they could not have a say on other matters.

Nearly 400 people had registered to attend the event where Ms Sturgeon and Scottish Government officials held health board executives to account.

They heard the government team put questions to the managers on a number of issues ranging from how they are tackling alcohol abuse to how they are managing their budget. At the end some questions submitted in writing by the public were read out and answered by the board, to the discontent of some of those attending.

Jackie Maceira, who was in the audience, said: "I think it was stage-managed."

Ms Sturgeon later said: "I think there is possibly room for an open question and answer session.