Strengthening the hospital workforce

Hospital patients and staff will benefit from the creation of 70 new posts for trainee doctors in several medical specialities.

All of the additional posts will support hospital-based medical specialities which have been identified as under pressure from increased patient need, including radiology, oncology, anaesthesia, intensive care and obstetrics and gynaecology. 14 of the trainees will also spend time training in general practice and mental health placements.

The Scottish Government will cover the costs of the trainee salaries, which will amount to £2.3 million in 2020-21, increasing to £3.4 million in 2021-22 and beyond. Successful applicants will start in their new posts in autumn 2020.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said:

“Scotland has an excellent reputation as a place to work and train for doctors. The number of doctors in training in Scotland has increased by more than 6% since 2006.

“The creation of these posts is further evidence that we are developing a more sustainable medical workforce.

“These extra posts build upon the 290 additional training posts already agreed since 2014, and will make a significant contribution to supporting frontline services and those medical specialities who are working hard to deliver the high quality of care our patients need.”

Background

The number of posts was agreed by the Scottish Shape of Training Transition Group, chaired by Doctor John Colvin, which undertakes an annual assessment of supply and demand in the medical workforce, with membership drawn from across NHS Scotland, and representatives of the medical profession.