Medical staffing levels
Health Boards should ensure that the level of medical staffing planned and provided is sufficient to provide safe high-quality care.
- The Scottish Government's response stated a commitment to planning an NHS workforce that meets current and future care demands. The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 (provisions in force from 1 April 2024) places statutory duties on NHS boards to ensure sufficient numbers of staff including medical staff (Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2019/6)).
- Scottish Ministers are required under the Act to take steps to ensure sufficient numbers of registered nurses, midwives, and medical practitioners are available in Scotland.
- NHS Education for Scotland manages medical training and workforce planning for Scotland's medical workforce.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedSection 4.1 of the Scottish Government's response addresses the need for appropriate levels of medical staff to provide safe, high-quality care. It states a full commitment to planning an NHS workforce that delivers high-quality services, with structures and guidance in place for effective workforce planning. The response highlights that NHS consultant numbers are at a record high, increasing by 37.1% (1,348.1 WTE) between September 2006 and December 2014, including significant increases in key specialties.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 (in force April 2024) covers medical staffing levels alongside nursing. Common Staffing Method applies to all clinical staffing decisions.
View detailed findings
Statutory basis for ensuring medical staffing is sufficient for safe high-quality care. Ministerial Annual Report monitors implementation.