Jackie Baillie MSP has called for the Scottish Government to reverse the workforce crisis in the NHS as new figures from ISD Scotland show that there were 478 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) vacant nursing and midwifery posts in Greater Glasgow and Clyde at the end of 2018.

This figure includes 117 unfilled mental health nurse posts and 21 vacancies in school nursing.

The figures come at the same time as data shows that almost 100 young people waited longer than 18 weeks for access to mental health treatment in January.

Jackie said:

“Our hard working NHS staff are overworked and under resourced. It is clear that there are major problems in our health service and this workforce crisis is having an impact on both staff and patients.

“These unfilled posts cause increased workloads for NHS staff across the country.

“This is a prime example of this SNP Government failing to properly plan the workforce needed for a modern NHS. This is reflected in long waits, cancelled operations and patients being left in pain.

“The SNP must invest in the NHS and end this workforce crisis.”