Local MSP, Jackie Baillie, has called on the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Jeane Freeman, to get a grip on the NHS staffing crisis as new figures reveal that the number of absences due to staff suffering stress has soared in recent years.

Between 2015/16 and 2017/18 the number of stress-related staff absences in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has rocketed by almost a quarter increasing from 99,222 in 2015/16 to 123,507 in 2017/18.

There have already been 29,701 days lost to stress in 2018/19.

The loss of staff days due to stress is heaping more pressure on our already under-resourced hospitals and health services.

Jackie said:

“Our hospitals are already suffering from chronic underfunding and under-resourcing and the pressure is being felt by our hard working NHS staff.

“The health system is stretched to breaking point, so it is no surprise that staff are having to take more and more time off due to stress.

“I hope that the Scottish Government will take this as a sign that much more needs to be done to help our hospitals and our staff cope with the increasing demand. This problem cannot be ignored any longer.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

NHS sick days due to stress