The Scottish Government

This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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NHS workforce at record levels

26/01/2006

New figures released today show that the NHS in Scotland continues to increase its record numbers of staff.

Statistics show that at September 30, 2005 (Whole Time Equivalent figures), there were:

• 129,426 staff in NHS Scotland, an increase of 2.7 per cent since September 2004
• 55,469 nursing and midwifery staff, an increase 1.7 per cent since September 2004
• 9,787 medical and dental staff in NHSScotland, an increase of 2.3 per cent since September 2004

Health Minister Andy Kerr said:

"To deliver the highest quality of patient care, we need the right kinds of staff in the right places across Scotland.

"These figures show that the investment we are making in the NHS is paying off. This is planned growth which reflects the Executive's desire to strengthen frontline services.

"It is clear that the hard work and dedication of frontline staff throughout the NHS is delivering high quality healthcare for patients across the Scotland. I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute NHS staff for the difference that they make day in and day out.

"But as well as recognising that we have record numbers of doctors and nurses, I want to recognise that all other types of staff play a valuable role too.

"As patients, we need paramedics, we need physiotherapists and we need technicians to keep medical systems up and running. We need effective administrators and medical record keepers to ensure that we schedule and treat patients as quickly and smoothly as possible.

"Alongside every great doctor, there is a great NHS team. They all play a vital part in saving and improving lives in the modern NHS."

Figures quoted are Whole Time Equivalents (WTE). These adjust headcount figures to take account of part-time staff.

Latest available staff rates (Whole Time Equivalent) for Scotland and England per 100,000 population - as at 30 September 2004 - are: