NHS LOTHIAN WORKFORCE BOOST AS STAFF NUMBERS RISE

SNP MSP for Midlothian North & Musselburgh, Colin Beattie, has praised the staff working in our NHS who are helping to deliver the best-performing NHS in the UK ahead of the busy festive period after latest stats showed increased staffing levels that will help give patients the best possible care.
 
The Lothian area is benefitting from an increase in the numbers of NHS staff working for Lothian health board – part of a Scotland-wide increase that has seen the NHS workforce reach record levels in 2017.
 
NHS Lothian had its full-time equivalent staff levels increase from 19,999.0 to 20,457.8 – while Scotland as a whole now has nearly 140,000 people working in our National Health Service.
 
Commenting, Mr Beattie stated:
 
“Staff are the lifeblood of our NHS – and it is always welcome news when there are more of them working in our hospitals and surgeries.
 
“This increase in staff – from 19,999.0 to 20,457.8 – will help make sure people across my constituency receive the top class care that they have come to expect from our NHS – particularly during the busy festive period when resources are often stretched.
 
“The hardworking staff in NHS Lothian deserve our thanks at all times of year, but not least during the holiday period when they might be away from their families looking after those in need.
 
“NHS Lothian will benefit from having even more dedicated and highly skilled staff in our hospitals and surgeries – and is part of why staffing levels are at a record high across Scotland.”