NHS staffing at new record high

Staffing in Scotland’s NHS has increased by over 1,000 in the last year, taking workforce levels to a new record high. 

Figures published today show, at 30 September 2016, 138,651 whole time equivalent (WTE) staff are working in hospitals and community healthcare settings across the country. Under this Government, health service staffing has increased by over 11,500 WTE, equivalent to a 9.1% increase in the last 10 years.

The statistics also show record levels of medical consultants working in the NHS, and record numbers of allied health professionals such as physiotherapists and podiatrists. 

Nursing is also at historically high levels, with 2,378 more nursing and midwifery staff under this Government.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: 

“Under this Government, NHS staff numbers have risen to record highs - with more consultants, nurses and midwives now delivering care for the people of Scotland.

“There are now 11,500 more staff working in our NHS, with nearly 1,000 of these recruited in the last year. In the last 10 years we’ve also seen a 42.8% increase in medical and dental consultants. These extra staff will ensure people all across Scotland get the high-quality NHS services that they rightly expect. 

“We are also committed to preparing our NHS workforce for the future by increasing student nursing and midwifery intakes for the last four years. That’s helped to see almost 10,000 nurses and midwives in training in 2015.

“With demand on our NHS rising we’re committed to both record investment in our health service and ensuring the necessary reforms to deliver the right staff, with the right skills, in the right place, long into the future.

“We’ll soon be setting out our National Health and Social Care Workforce Plan for discussion, working with individuals and organisations within our NHS and social care services to ensure we have the right skills mix for the future.”

Background

Full access to the statistical publication can be accessed on the ISD Scotland website: https://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Workforce/