Cole-Hamilton responds to nursing exodus

Responding to the news that there has been a 13% increase in the number of nurses who left the Nursing and Midwifery Council register in the 12 months up to September 2022, with 2,690 nurses leaving the profession in that time, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:  

“This worrying exodus is yet another sign that the Health Secretary’s plan for NHS recovery is failing. Nurses are feeling burned out and undervalued. They need meaningful solutions, not another decade of SNP mismanagement.  

“The government has been stubborn when it comes to easing the pressures, repeatedly opposing Scottish Liberal Democrat calls for a burnout prevention plan and an NHS staff assembly that values their expertise.  

"Nurses have gone over and above the call of duty for too long. They need new hope. It's time for the Cabinet Secretary to go back to the drawing board and come up with a proper workforce strategy that will boost recruitment, retainment and safe staffing."