Cole-Hamilton responds to huge gaps in nursing and midwifery

The data released by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) provides a quarterly update of the NHS workforce, as at 31 December 2022. It shows 5,779 nursing and midwifery vacancies across NHS Scotland.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:  

“As well as a failing NHS recovery plan, we are seeing a lack of proper workforce planning from the Cabinet Secretary. Nurses are feeling so burned out and undervalued that many of them are deciding to leave the profession. These figures will only get worse if the Government continue in their lack of action.

“The SNP/Green administration has been stubborn when it comes to easing the pressures, repeatedly opposing Scottish Liberal Democrat calls for a Burnout Prevention Strategy and ignoring our calls for an NHS Health and Social Care Staff Assembly that values their expertise.  

"Nurses have gone over and above the call of duty for too long. They need new hope. Whether he is First Minister or Health Secretary, it's time for Humza Yousaf to go back to the drawing board and come up with a proper workforce strategy that will boost recruitment, retainment and safe staffing."