Press Release

Page last updated: 12-AUG-2004

Press Release

Thursday 12th August 2004 (0930h)
NHSScotland Workforce Statistics updated on Scottish Health on the Web (SHOW).
Information Services (ISD Scotland) of NHSScotland, today updated this web site, accessible via: http://www.isdscotland.org/workforce

The release includes information on;

  • staff in post at 31st March 2004 in non-medical staff groups
  • nursing and midwifery and allied health professional vacancies at 31st March 2004
  • the use of bank and agency nursing and midwifery staff during year 2003/04
Key points include:
Unless otherwise stated, all figures refer to “whole time equivalent” (WTE) staff. 

Nursing & Midwifery 
  • At 31st March 2004, NHSScotland employed 54,983.3 nursing and midwifery staff, an increase of 759.2 (1.4%) from 31st March 2003.  Of these, 39,037.1 were qualifed grades (up 2.2%) and 15,946.2 were assistant grades (down 0.6%).  The number of qualified staff is the highest number in the 10 year period reported.
  • The number of Nursing and Midwifery vacancies increased from 31st March 2003 to 31st March 2004 (1970.0 to 2090.0). The corresponding vacancy rate rose slightly from 3.5% to 3.7%.
  • The number of nursing and midwifery students in Scottish Higher Education Institutions is also at an all time high with 8986 students in initial entrant (pre-registration) training in 2003. 
  • The use of bank nursing and midwifery staff increased from 3.75 million hours in year ending 31st March 2003 to 4.44 million hours in year ending 31st March 2004 (up 18.5%).  The cost of employing these staff rose by 27.1% from £39.0 million to £49.5 million over the same period.
  • The use of agency nursing and midwifery staff increased slightly (up 1.0%) from 1.43million hours in year ending 31st March 2003 to 1.44 million hours in year ending 31st March 2004.  The cost of employing these staff rose by 5.6% from £28.1 million to £29.7 million over the same period, largely explained by the employment of more higher grade agency nurses than in previous years.

Allied Health Professionals

  • At 31st March 2004, NHSScotland employed 8229.9 allied health professionals, an increase of 312.2 (3.9%) from 31st March 2003.  This represents the highest number of staff in post in the 10 year period reported.
  • The estimated number of AHP vacancies at 31st March 2004 was 475, a decrease of 30 from 31st March 2003. The corresponding vacancy rate was 5.4% at 31st March 2004 compared with 6.0% the previous year. Most of the reduction in vacancies can be attributed to a decrease in the number of radiographer vacancies.

    Other Staff

    At 31st March 2004, NHSScotland employed:
  • 2,186.8 scientific and professional staff (eg clinical psychologists and clinical scientists), an increase of 105.7 (5.1%) since 31st March 2003.
  • 6,690.9 technical staff (eg laboratory staff), an increase of 306.9 (4.8%) since 31st March 2003.
  • 2,750.0 ambulance staff, a slight increase of 26.7 (1.0%) since 31st March 2003.
  • 23,223.2 management, administration and clerical staff, an increase of 994.6 (4.5%) since March 2003.
  • 12,330.9 works, trades and ancillary staff, an increase of 382.1 (3.1%) since 31st March 2003.  The majority of this increase can be explained by increases in catering and domestic staff where NHS organisations have resumed responsibility for previously out-sourced services.

Background Notes For Editors

1. WTEs adjust headcount staff figures to take account of part-time staff.

2. All information is shown within the “Workforce” pages of ISD Scotland’s web site as follows:

  • Nursing & Midwifery in section E (staff in post - tables E1-E6, vacancies -  tables E7-E10, student intakes and students in training – E11, agency nursing and midwifery staff – tables E12-E15, bank nursing and midwifery staff – table E16).
  • Scientific, Professional and Technical (including Allied Health Professionals) in section F (staff in post – tables F1-F4, vacancies – tables F5-F9)
  • Administrative & Estates in section G.

    Staff in post figures for these staff groups have been published twice a year (at 31st March and 30th September) since 2003.  Prior to 2003, figures were published annually at 30th September.

4. This is an ISD Scotland National Statistics release.  National Statistics are produced to high professional standards and adhere to codes of practice.  They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs and they are produced free from any political interference.

3. ISD collects, collates and maintains a wide range of health service data sets, which form the national corporate database for NHSScotland.  By providing information, statistical services and effective use of information management and technology, ISD Scotland contributes to health improvement by informing decision making, research and debate within NHSScotland, government departments and other organisations.  ISD Scotland is part of National Services Scotland (the common name of the Common Services Agency) for the NHS in Scotland.  For more information about ISD Scotland see the ISD Scotland website: http://www.isdscotland.org.
 
4. For further information, contact:


Main contact: Email Ali Mackenzie