Minister bids to enshrine safe health service staff numbers in law

A consultation on plans to enshrine safe NHS staffing levels in law has been launched by the Health Secretary.

Shona Robison said the legislation is aimed at ensuring the right number of doctors, nurses, midwives and other healthcare staff are working in the health service across the country.

Launching the consultation at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, she said: “We know there is a clear link between effective and sustainable staffing levels and high-quality care.

“NHS staffing has increased to a record high under this Government, but it's vital we have the right number of staff in place, with the right skills, long into the future.

“Scotland has led the UK in the development and use of a ground-breaking evidence-based approach to nursing and midwifery workload and workforce planning. Now we intend to build on our record to date and go further still.

“That's why we have committed to enshrining the use of our nursing and midwifery workload and workforce planning tools in legislation. This consultation sets out our proposals on how this could happen and we are keen to hear views, from practitioners and the public, to help shape the final Bill.”

Royal College of Nursing Scotland director Theresa Fyffe said there is a clear link between high-quality care and having the right number of nurses with the right skills.

“With the integration of health and social care now a reality in Scotland, nursing care is delivered in many different settings, including in local health centres, out in the community, in care homes and in hospitals,” she said.

“We're therefore pleased that this consultation gives the public and all those who deliver patient care the opportunity to have their say on the shape and scope of the proposed safe staffing legislation.”

Mary Ross-Davie, director for Scotland at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), said adequate staffing is “crucial” to providing safe maternity services.

“Scotland is doing well when it comes to midwifery staffing, certainly compared to England, but we must not rest on our laurels,” she said.

“All our evidence shows that we could see a large number of midwives leaving the NHS in Scotland in the near future, mainly due to retirement, and we need to plan to ensure that they are replaced in good time.

“We also have a very positive and recently published national maternity plan for Scotland. However, to deliver this will need good planning and a well trained and well resourced maternity workforce including midwives, maternity support workers and other staff.

“This consultation is welcome, it is a very positive step by the Scottish Government and the RCM will certainly be responding.”