MSP claims SNP failing staff at NHS Tayside

A large increase in the number of NHS Tayside staff taking sick days due to mental health issues has been labelled “appalling”.

A total of 267,198 days were taken due to mental health between January 2017 and December 2017, an increase of more than 9% when compared to 2016.

North East Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Rumbles said: “These figures are appalling and the health minister should hang her head in shame.

“Patients in NHS Tayside have every right to be outraged.

“Underfunding of local services, staff shortages and a lack of resources has put our healthcare system under extreme pressure.

“It is no wonder that staff morale is at rock bottom.”

An employee at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, who did not wish to be named, said: “Over the years there has been increased staff sickness, particularly in nursing, leading to staff shortage or staff shortage leading to sickness.

“I fear there is a lack of professional support.

“The situation is similar all over Tayside, in Perth Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital. Sickness levels are at an extreme high.”

The Scottish Government said NHS Tayside is being funded by an additional £13.7 million in 2018/19, bringing baseline funding to £734.8m.

A spokesman said: “Staff at NHS Tayside continue to do a fantastic job, day in and day out – not least in emergency care services where 98% of patients were seen within four hours in March – continuing its record as one of the best providers of emergency care anywhere in the UK.”

North East region Scottish Conservative MSP Liam Kerr said: “The SNP’s record in 11 years of running the health service is inadequate, and we are now seeing their legacy in the people left to pick up the slack.”

George Doherty, NHS Tayside director of human resources, said: “NHS Tayside is committed to life-long health and well-being of staff and places equal value on both physical and mental health. We work closely with staff site representatives to tackle the impact of issues that may affect our employees’ mental health and well-being.”