The Scottish Government has today (16 December) published the long-awaited integrated health and social care workforce plan.
The plan recognises the importance of getting the workforce right and presents an overview of the integrated workforce needed to support Scotland’s communities.
However, the plan is light on the detail behind how the projected workforce growth was established and the level of financial commitment required to deliver this.
The role of District Nursing has been recognised and the commitment to fund a 12% increase to sustain the current workforce is to be welcomed.
Commenting on the plan, Theresa Fyffe, Director, RCN Scotland, said:
“Nursing has a central role in an integrated health and social care workforce. With the pressures of increased demand and clinical complexity and the current level of nursing vacancies across the NHS and care homes, achieving integration is challenging. Today’s plan is moving Scotland closer to this.
“The plan recognises the essential role of Scotland’s District Nursing teams and we welcome the commitment to sustain the number of nurses in our communities. It is also reassuring to see a further increase in the number of places for student nurses in 2020/21.
“Our members have been clear on the impact current staff shortages is having on their wellbeing and on patient care. Scottish Government must provide health boards and integration authorities with sufficient funds to deliver on these commitments and ensure Scotland has the nursing workforce it needs”
