Public views sought on safe NHS staffing

MSPS want to hear views on a planned new law to ensure safe staffing in the NHS.

The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Bill will mean that NHS boards and care services are legally required to have appropriate numbers of trained staff in place. The bill is intended to help health and care services in their workload planning.

Holyrood’s Health and Sport Committee is examining the bill and has issued a call for evidence.

Members are seeking opinions on the strengths and weaknesses in the proposed legislation.

The call came a day after the Scottish Government faced criticism for vacancy levels in NHS Scotland.

Long-term vacancies rose by more than 20 per cent for consultants, nurses and midwives between 31 March 2017 and the same date this year.