MSP’s concern at staff ‘crisis’
But NHS Lanarkshire defends levels
A Labour MSP has claimed there is a crisis in staffing levels at NHS Lanarkshire.
In their ‘Achieving Excellence’ report, officials admit that they are “considering approaches to support older staff to remain in employment”, reflecting that there are currently “ongoing issues with medical staffing availability”.
Central Scotland list MSP Richard Leonard has asked if the Scottish Government consider this to be a damning indictment of their workforce strategy since they first entered government 10 years ago.
Mr Leonard said: “Every week we hear more first-hand accounts of operations being cancelled, of low morale among NHS staff, about people waiting longer and longer in A&E.
“There is a crisis inside our National Health Service.
“All the NHS staff work so hard day in and day out, night in, night out. Now the SNP need to properly plan and invest in our NHS for the future.
“The staff are being let down, and it’s patients who are suffering.
“Even the former SNP Health Secretary admits that more needs to be done.”
NHS Lanarkshire director of human resources Kenny Small defended the health board’s staffing levels.
Mr Small said: “NHS Lanarkshire works closely with clinical staff to develop and implement annual workforce plans which seek to ensure that we have the right staff for our health and care services.
“In consort with all NHS boards, NHS Lanarkshire is also contributing to the development of a national workforce plan designed to establish a strategic response to workforce needs now and in the future.
“We continue to invest in our staff and value their experience which is why it is important for us to retain their services as both patients and new recruits benefit from their expertise and knowledge.
“It is important to point out that the £30million spent on agency staff was over three years and we only use agency staff when there is an absolute clinical need to ensure continuity of service and to safeguard patient care.”
The staff are being let down, and it’s patients who are suffering