Cole-Hamilton responds to RCN cost of living survey

Responding to an embargoed survey by the Royal College of Nursing in Scotland, which found that the cost of living has caused 62% of its members to consider changing their current role, 60% of whom are considering leaving nursing altogether, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

“This is a bleak reflection of the extreme pressure felt by nurses throughout Scotland.

“There are already yawning gaps within the nursing workforce, a problem that stretches all the way back to Nicola Sturgeon cutting training places and claiming that was ‘sensible.’

“Now, as the burdens on staff and risks for patients increase by the day, there needs to be a renewed focus on recruiting and retaining people. Scottish Liberal Democrats want to see ministers giving the profession the resources it needs, a plan for tackling burnout and the delivery of the safe staffing legislation that Parliament agreed years ago.”