This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Rise in NHS staff numbers
10/02/2005
New figures released today show widespread rises in the number of NHS staff across the board.
Health Minister Andy Kerr thanked NHS staff for their hard work and dedication in looking after Scotland's patients.
Mr Kerr said:
"I want to take this opportunity to thank NHS staff for their contribution to the health service in Scotland this year and pay tribute to the difference that they make day in and day out.
"In primary care alone, there are 3000 face to face contacts between patients every hour between patients and their GP, practice nurse or health visitor.
"It's clear that the hard work and dedication of frontline staff throughout the NHS is delivering high quality healthcare for patients across the Scotland.
"Whether they work in a GP practice, community health centre, pharmacy, local clinic, or as an ambulance driver or administrative support your service is greatly valued by the people of Scotland.
"This year, through Agenda for Change and the new contracts for GPs and Consultants, we have introduced one of the most radical reforms of NHS staff pay and conditions since the 40s.
"I believe that this is good news for both staff and patients and the significant support that staff have given it tells me that they share my view.
"I very much welcome today's figures. They clearly show that there are more doctors, more nurses and more Allied Health Professionals working in Scotland's hospitals which is good news for patients around the country.
"We recognise that there are national and international shortage radiographers and are taking steps to address this. We also have an ongoing programme in place aimed at modernising radiotherapy equipment to provide additional treatment.
"However, I am particularly delighted to see continued increases in the number of nursing and midwifery staff working for NHS Scotland. We now have the highest number of nurses in the acute sector since recording began.
"The number of consultants employed by NHS Scotland is also continuing to increase and with substantial increases in the number of doctors in training, this trend is likely to continue.
"But we are not complacent - measures are in place to ensure we can recruit and retain even more staff for Scotland's health service."
Today's figure's on NHS workforce can be found at:
www.isdscotland.org/isd