5 March 2019

The NHS is in the middle of a workforce crisis under the SNP, as new figures confirm.

New figures published by ISD Scotland reveal 2,395.7 whole time equivalent (WTE) unfilled nursing and midwifery posts in Scotland, alongside 415.5 WTE unfilled posts for consultants.

The number of long term vacancies – posts unfilled for three months or more - stands at 635.9 WTE for nursing and midwifery.

254.8 WTE consultant posts had also been vacant for six months or more.

With a lack of staff in our health service it is no surprise that waiting time targets are being missed across our NHS.

Scottish Labour Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health, Monica Lennon MSP, said:

“NHS staff regularly tell me they are exhausted and do not have enough time to give patients the care they deserve, and these figures show why.

“Thousands of vacant posts across our health services are unfilled, causing increased workloads for NHS staff around the country.

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