NHS Scotland set to bolster workforce by 760 in coming year

By The Press Association31st August 2016News ScotlandHospitals, Midwifery, News Scotland, NHS, Nursing / Midwifery, Recruitment / Retention, Workforce

More than 760 extra full-time staff are expected to be recruited to NHS Scotland in the coming year, according to new figures.

Projections drawn up by health boards across the country show the workforce is expected to grow by 764.8 whole time equivalent staff in 2016/17, up 0.6%.

Almost 100 of these are expected to be medical staff, with 440 extra nurses and midwives.

A further 177 additional staff are planned across the allied health professions, including radiographers, paramedics and physiotherapists.

While most health boards expect staffing to rise, decreases are forecast in NHS 24, NHS Lothian, NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Fife while numbers are projected to remain the same in NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Health Secretary Shona Robison (pictured, left) said: “As the demand on our health service grows, we must continue to grow and invest in our NHS workforce.

“At the request of the Scottish Government, health boards have very carefully assessed their workforce needs for the coming year and identified the number of additional staff required to help deliver services.

“These planned increases comes on top of NHS staff numbers rising to record levels under this Government, with more consultants, nurses and midwives and allied health professionals now delivering care for the people of Scotland.”