NHS Scotland could lose over 3,000 staff

NHS Scotland has estimated that it could lose the equivalent of 3,790 full time staff over the next 12 months, with as many as 1,523 nursing and midwifery posts and 1,053 administrative roles being lost. Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon, of the Scottish National Party, revealed the figures after coming under pressure from Labour ministers.

Sturgeon insisted that NHS spending has increased by £264m this year, despite cuts by the previous administration. "The NHS always has been, and remains, a top priority for this government,” she said. “We have demonstrated our commitment to the NHS through our actions; despite a £500m cut in the overall Scottish budget, the NHS received a real terms funding increase.

"But the reality is that NHS budgets are tight and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. It is my job to ensure the NHS delivers the best quality of care, manages the financial challenges facing it, and takes the right decisions now to secure services in the future."