Nursing Workforce in Scotland report

In the report, which contains a new analysis of nursing workforce statistics and challenges facing workforce planning, RCN Scotland highlights how the record-high vacancy rate for nursing staff is a serious threat to maintaining high quality patient care.

The report underlines just how urgently action is needed to repair the harms caused to the nursing workforce by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as years of chronic under-investment before the pandemic.

The report sets out 10 recommendations, which include calling for:

• A clear timetable for implementation of the Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act to be set out as a matter of urgency.
• The Scottish government to increase investment in health and care services to employ more nursing staff and achieve safe staffing levels.
• A commitment to continue to increase the number of nursing student places in line with workforce modelling rather than affordability.