Concerns over our long in the tooth nurses

Ageing nurses could spark a staff shortage within our healthcare system.

Almost a fifth of the nursing and midwifery workforce are aged 55 or over.

And worried Conservatives reckon the retirement boom will leave a “huge hole in staffing levels.”

Figures show that 18.3 per cent of nurses were 55 or over and therefore likely to retire within the decade.

Back in 2011, it was only 12.79 per cent of the workforce in that age group.

Scottish Conservative West of Scotland MSP Jamie Greene said: “The NHS in Ayrshire and Arran is very lucky to have so many nurses and midwives who’ve dedicated their working lives to healthcare.

“However, while their experience is valuable, we won’t be able to rely on them forever. These figures show the health board is facing a retirement boom, and the Scottish Government has to be ready for it.

“There are already huge problems across the country in recruiting enough nurses, and it seems this is only going to get more difficult as the years go by.

“That’s why we need to start training more nurses to ensure our wards and patients don’t suffer down the line.”

The figures, captured from data in March, show a total nursing and midwifery staff of 4838, with 885 of them aged 55 or over.

In 2011 the workforce was 4564 with 584 of them more than 55.