Scotland's NHS is on its knees, as thousands of nurses are needed to address the crippling staffing crisis

Over 160 000 personnel are employed by the seven specialised departments and one general department that comprise Scotland's health care system. Healthcare workers in Scotland operate in a broad spectrum of specialties, from nursing and midwifery to pharmacy, emergency care, and surgery. 

Nonetheless, the Ministry of Health in Scotland acknowledges nurses' value and strives to improve nursing services, particularly concerning Scotland's ageing population.

According to experts, Scotland will need a large number of professional nurses in a wide range of fields in the not-too-distant future if it is to achieve its social goals.

In the latter half of 2022 and the first few weeks of 2023, Scottish nurses went on strike in coordination with their colleagues throughout the United Kingdom. The strikes were intended to put pressure on the UK government and the local administrations in Scotland and Wales to raise wages. 

After months of lengthy negotiations, Scotland's main nursing unions successfully forced the Scottish government to raise nurse salaries. When it comes to maintaining the nursing industry and enhancing the healthcare system in the coming decade, more than a simple increase in budget and pay is required. As a result, the Scottish administration has pledged the largest budget increase in the history of the healthcare sector, totaling £568 million, including a 6.5% hike for nurses between 2023 and 2024. The Scottish government will use the money to raise wages and meet unfulfilled commitments. 

To ensure that nurses remain in their professions for an extensive amount of time, the Scottish government and its public health services need a comprehensive strategy with long-term and clearly defined targets. During the pandemic, Scotland's medical personnel were decimated by financial constraints, notably among nurses. Seventy-five percent of Scottish nurses described feeling underpaid and undervalued after the coronavirus pandemic subsided. In addition, due to the overwhelming expectations of their profession, six out of ten Scottish nurses have considered quitting their jobs.

Moreover, the number of Scottish nurses who quit their jobs rose by 13% in the year ending in September 2022. 

Scottish officials recognised the dire need to address the country's significant lack of registered nurses and recruited nurses from abroad. This is an outstanding opportunity for the Scottish government. 

Recent measures to increase remuneration for nurses in Scotland are commendable, but the administration in Edinburgh should do more to attract qualified applicants. Specialists believe the Scottish government must make nursing more appealing with a higher socioeconomic status and a solid work ethic to maintain its current workforce and recruit fresh candidates.