Cole-Hamilton calls for support as thousands of NHS staff off on long term sick

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today called for a new package of support for NHS staff and measures to put their experience at the heart of driving the NHS recovery as he unveiled a snapshot of the health service which showed more than 2,500 staff were off on long term sick.

A freedom of information request submitted by Scottish Liberal Democrats has revealed that earlier this year at least 2,555 NHS doctors, nurses and staff were off long-term sick at once.

In total NHS staff have been on long term sick on 43,881 occasions over the past five years.

Commenting on the figures, Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“These figures show that NHS staffing is in a fragile place.

“Staff are utterly exhausted from dealing with huge pressure on every shift and occupational risks like long Covid. Many feel they have no other option but to take long term leave or quit the profession entirely.

“If we are to avoid another winter crisis in our NHS, ministers need to plug the huge gaps in the workforce.

"Scottish Liberal Democrats would completely overhaul the SNP’s failed NHS Recovery Plan to prioritise the recruitment and retention of staff and increase training places in key areas such as mental heath and dentistry. The SNP also need to reverse their opposition to a Burnout Prevention Strategy for staff, otherwise they run the risk of losing many more NHS staff who we desperately need.

“Staff and patients have paid too high a price for the SNP’s carelessness with our NHS.”