Cole-Hamilton comments on nursing recruitment fall

Responding to the Royal College of Nursing press release highlighting new UCAS data published today which shows a 19% drop in applicants to nursing programmes in Scotland in the last year, with applicants 6,450 as of 30 June 2023, compared to 7,930 in 2022 and 9,010 in 2021, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“The Scottish Government has been haphazard and lacklustre when it comes to making sure enough new nurses are recruited.

“Nursing staff have consistently warned that they are short staffed and on the brink of burnout.  

“Humza Yousaf made a mess of staffing when he was Health Secretary. His successor must ensure that nursing is an appealing profession and secure the future of our health workforce.

“On top of that we need fresh measures to stop the exodus of experienced staff and an NHS Staff Assembly which puts the knowledge of those who know the service best at the heart of how we rebuild our health care system.”