By stewartb
Workforce statistics need very careful analysis based on trusted, objective assessment which gives readers ‘perspective’. No longer confident in the BMAs credentials in this regard and certainly not in the The Herald’s reporting on NHS Scotland.
NHS Scotland’s total workforce in Q4 2023 was 160,567 (whole time equivalents), up 18.9% over the past ten years and up 14.1% in the past five years alone.
The Q4 2023 the workforce included:
- consultants: 6,006.2 (WTEs)
- nurses and midwifes: 66,883.6 (WTEs)
- allied health professionals: 13,926.3 (WTEs)
In Q4 2019 the workforce included:
- consultants: 5,392.2 (WTEs)
- nurses and midwifes: 60,651.0 (WTEs)
- allied health professionals: 11,976.4 (WTEs)
Looking further back in time, using this source: ‘NHS National Services Scotland (28 June 2011 ) NHS Scotland Workforce – Data as at 31 March 2011 – Table MDQT2: HCHS medical and dental consultant staff in post by year: this shows that between September 2002 and September 2007 the number of consultants varied between 3,194.8 to 3,801.7 (WTEs).
So, arguably, there has been a substantial increase in the NHS Scotland workforce during a period of time characterised by imposed ‘austerity’, a pandemic and Brexit. Has any part of the NHS in the UK been able to match delivery capacity with increasing demand for health services? Not even in England where the responsible government – unique in the UK – has ALL the powers to solve such NHS issues – but hasn’t done so!
Talking-up Scotland / Scottish media fact checking is like shooting fish in a barrel 
The Tories austerity cut NHS funds. £125Billion a year not increased since 2010. ConDems came to power to increase funding for the NHS cut it. Increased demand a growing elderly population. The Tories did not properly fund the NHS. Cut.
The Tories spending £1090Billion a year. £125Billion on healthcare. Not a priority. Spending£Billion decommissioning nuclear. £13Billion a year over ten years. £130Billion. Ever increasing. Cutting tax for the wealthy. Tax evasion. Wasting £Billions on Hickley Point and HS2. The Tory funded Covid over two years £270Billion
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Well since you are talking about Health…..though in relation to your article this comment is probably way off topic…..but “sick” is associated with Health….LOL
Rishi Sunak is talking about ending the “sick note culture” for Mr & Mrs Ordinary….aka the public……BUT……..
There is another meaning of “sick” as in sickening that seems to be infesting his party via some of his MP’s and the various scandals they have become embroiled in…..is he going to endeavour to end this also….as it is getting beyond a joke…..Scott Benton, William Wragg , Mark Menzies to name but a few (and also how many Tory ministers were alleged to have broken the ministerial code and yet have gone unpunished)…..
Let’s also note that previous Tory MP’s who alleged they made an error in not disclosing financial matters that have never been punished…..or referred to the Police for further investigation….
In 2018 Jeremy Hunt failed to disclose to record his involvement in Mare Pond Properties in the MPs’ register of interests within a 28-day time limit…it was decided that he would not face any sanctions after apologising twice for the late reporting of his interest in a property company.….it was revealed he had taken six months to register his 50% interest in the company Mare Pond Properties.
In 2023 Nadhim Zahawi had to pay back tax he owed with a 30% penalty and the total amounts to £4.8m which he said was “careless and not deliberate”…..the questions facing Mr Zahawi included whether he tried to avoid paying tax by using an offshore company called Balshore Investments to hold shares in YouGov, the polling company he co-founded in 2000 – something he has always denied.
Balshore Investments is registered offshore in Gibraltar…..he was not suspended from the party and no Police investigation was conducted as his word was accepted , and thus as his word , to it being an oversight or merely a mistake, then that was apparently sufficient as an explanation.
In 2022 Douglas Ross was reported for not recording his full MSP salary and earnings as a match official for the Scottish Football Association. As an MSP who is also an MP for Moray, Mr Ross receives a top-up payment from the Scottish Parliament of £21,490 for a whole year.
However, since he only became a list MSP for the Highlands and Islands last May, his failure to declare was for six months’ worth of earnings totalling £10,745.
A further £6,728.57 income from 16 football matches in 2020 and 2021 was also undeclared…..it was then declared that the Scottish (INO) Conservative leader Douglas Ross will not be sanctioned after failing to declare earnings while serving as an MP.…..Mr Ross has apologised and “guaranteed” the ‘mistake’ will not be repeated.
MSM Twitter account today tweeted :
““Good Morning Scotland has had to issue a correction on air after broadcasting inaccurate information about the Peter Murrell story. The Crown Office had to contact them to correct what was said. The station is as reliable as a tabloid newspaper”
But wait Good Morning Scotland also tweeted today :
“Timeline: The SNP finances controversy” (with a link to a BBC story on their website that includes many pictures of Nicola Sturgeon, Blue tents, John Swinney and WOS owner Stuart Campbell).
As this is now a “Live” investigation that has now developed into charges being made I will make no comment upon it……will others , via some of the usual suspects and too much of the media also be able to contain themselves in continuing to speculate and making their observations based on their own bias in respect to this matter……..now that would be a ‘Controversy’…..and one liable to be deemed as a contempt of court……will that threat be enough to thwart some still speculating, inferring, suggesting and in some cases directly accusing others within the party of culpability and involvement …..we shall see…..as hopefully will they……as if they do indeed intend to continue their behaviour upon this matter….and it is reported then they should face consequences surely ?
NMRN
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