Staffing levels in NHS are inadequate, say workers

ONLY a third of NHS staff think there are enough workers to allow them to do their job properly, a new survey reveals.

Just 34 per cent felt staffing levels were adequate, while within the Scottish Ambulance Service the figure was only 20 per cent.

The figures were revealed in the new iMatter survey of NHS staff in 2017, published by the Scottish Government yesterday.

The survey also found that only 46 per cent of NHS staff agreed they could meet all the conflicting demands of their role during their time at work. Norman Provan, associate director of the Royal College of Nursing in Scotland, said: ‘NHS staff on the frontline have spoken out – it is now up to those in positions of power to listen and to act.’

Labour health spokesman Anas Sarwar said: ‘Labour has been warning about a staffing crisis in our hospitals for years. If Nicola Sturgeon doesn’t listen to us, she should listen to the staff, and make a start in fixing this mess.’

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: ‘It is encouraging to see more staff are engaged and feel empowered to speak up after we have implemented a number of measures including the whistleblowing alert.

‘All of this is contributing to an increasingly honest and open reporting culture within the NHS.’

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: ‘Our staff do a tremendous job caring for patients.’

‘Make a start in fixing this mess’