Grant gets debate in Scottish Parliament on NHS recruitment and retention
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FAR north MSP, Rhoda Grant, has secured a debate in the Scottish Parliament on NHS recruitment and retention.
She says more healthcare related courses should be established in the Highlands to meet staffing challenges in midwifery, mental health services and women’s health services.
In 2019, the University of the Highlands and Islands established a shortened midwifery course in response to the workforce need in northern Scottish Health Boards. However, the Scottish Government did not approve a third cohort in 2021 and moved the course to Edinburgh Napier University.
The Labour MSP hopes the debate will make clear to the Scottish Government the workforce shortage is still prevalent in the Highlands and Islands and is slowing the expansion of services.
FAR north MSP, Rhoda Grant, has secured a debate in the Scottish Parliament on NHS recruitment and retention.
Mrs Grant said: “We recently saw the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Humza Yousaf, open two new community hospitals in the Highland region. As much as I welcome this investment, lack of staff means that part of new Broadford Hospital remains unused.
“We must establish local courses using our world-renowned university This will not only encourage students to move here, work here and hopefully set down roots here but it will also utilise local talent who cannot or don’t want to move elsewhere.
“In the face of more people reaching retirement age and the need to develop more services, I appreciate that NHS Highland are requiring staff urgently and thus they’re looking to recruit elsewhere however, The Scottish Government need to do more to help Boards recruit, train and retain staff, especially within our northern Health Boards.”
