NHS Orkney, has seen a 5.5% increase in the past year in staffing levels and an 18.6% increase in the last five years.

Across Scotland, more than 155,000 staff have been hired, with increases in whole-time equivalent (WTE) staff for ten consecutive years. The number of doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, and support staff working across Scotland’s hospitals and in communities increased by over 7,000 in the past year alone.

Commenting, Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Emma Roddick said:

“Our NHS staff in Orkney have shown incredible dedication and commitment to our health service in the past two years and beyond. We will never be able to thank them enough for their heroic efforts.

“Under the SNP Scottish Government, staffing levels in the NHS in Scotland have increased to record levels. The Scottish Government’s long-term investment in the workforce has accelerated since the outset of the pandemic and we are seeing that in reality, with an 18.6% increase over the past five years.

“The SNP also continues to recognise the effort of our staff having offered them the best pay rise in the UK. They also continue to be the best paid health staff compared to their counterparts in the rest of the UK.”

Health Secretary in the Scottish Government Humza Yousaf added:

“I would like to pay tribute to the dedication and commitment of our frontline healthcare staff for the vital role they have played in keeping us all safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Work is ongoing to further enhance NHS workforce levels and support Health Boards to fill posts as our investment in NHS staffing continues to create significant numbers of new roles in the system.

“Our record £300 million of new investment helped services deal with system pressures over winter and the £1 billion NHS Recovery Plan introduced a range of direct workforce investments.  This has included new measures to support Boards’ capacity for both domestic and international recruitment.

“Scotland has the best paid NHS staff in the UK and we have made £12 million available in the last year to support the wellbeing of the workforce.”