Cole-Hamilton: “Astronomical” vacancies expose SNP/Green NHS failings

Responding to new NHS Scotland workforce statistics showing that there are 5,568 nursing and midwifery vacancies, and that £567m was spent on temporary staff across the NHS in 2022/23, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

"These astronomical figures expose the yawning gaps within the NHS workforce, putting staff in a desperate situation.

“The complete failure by this SNP-Green government to recruit and retain staff stretches all the way back to Nicola Sturgeon cutting training places and claiming that was ‘sensible’.

“Without fresh action every plan to recruit new people, treat people quickly and curtail the backlogs will fall flat. It’s why Scottish Liberal Democrats would deliver the proper implementation of the safe staffing legislation that Parliament agreed years ago. We also need an urgent Burnout Prevention Strategy - a plan the SNP/Green Government were wrong to vote down.”