The number of bank and agency shifts advertised by health boards has soared by an “eye-watering” 110 per cent in the last five years, it can be revealed today.
A series of Freedom of Information requests by the Scottish Conservatives show the number of these shifts across NHS Scotland more than doubled between 2018-19 and 2022-23.
In 2018-19, 946,423 bank and agency shifts were advertised, but this rose by 109.7 per cent in 2022/2023 to an “astonishing” 1,984,722. Advertised agency shifts alone have risen by over 300 per cent in the period.
The FOI responses show that, in keeping with the SNP’s “dire workforce planning”, the proportion of such shifts being filled fell by 17.9 per cent to only 54 per cent in 2022/23.
Shadow health secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane says the findings are “deeply alarming” and a “shameful reflection” on the SNP’s mismanagement of Scotland’s NHS during their 16 years in office.
He added that “shelling out” for bank and agency staff to ensure frontline staff are fully supported is the last thing health boards need when resources are already completely overstretched, and called on health secretary Michael Matheson to finally layout a proper workforce plan.
Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP said: “The rise in the use of bank and agency staff on the SNP’s watch is absolutely eye-watering.
“While I know first-hand the important role bank and agency staff play in supporting our NHS, it is clear that the SNP’s dire workforce planning and mismanagement of our health service has left boards increasingly reliant on them.
“The fact that nearly two million bank and agency shifts were advertised last year alone is deeply alarming and a shameful reflection on the SNP’s record in charge of Scotland’s NHS.
“NHS resources are already at breaking point so the last thing health boards need to be doing is shelling out money on this scale to external staff to ensure shifts are fully covered.
“While SNP health secretary Michael Matheson is discredited and distracted by the multiple personal scandals surrounding him, he cannot let this intolerable situation continue. He must outline a proper workforce plan to reduce the dependence on bank and agency staff.”
Notes
Bank and Agency:
Bank and agency shifts have more than doubled since 2018/19. In 2018/19, 946,423 bank and agency shifts were advertised in NHS health boards. By 2022/23, this had increased by 109.7% to 1,984,722. In the period April-May 2023, there have already been 403,733 shifts advertised. (Scottish Conservative FOI, 13 September 2023, Available on Request).
The ‘fill’ rate for bank and agency shifts is down 17.9.% since 2018/19. In 2018/19, 71.9% of advertised bank and agency shifts were filled, but by 2022/23 this had declined to 54.0%. (Scottish Conservative FOI, 13 September 2023, Available on Request).
Agency:
Agency shifts have more than increased by over 300% since 2018/19. In 2018/19, 104,794 agency shifts were advertised in NHS health boards. By 2022/23, this had increased by 343% to 464,495. In the period April-May 2023, there have already been 89,502 shifts advertised. (Scottish Conservative FOI, 13 September 2023, Available on Request).
The ‘fill’ rate for agency shifts is down 23.3% since 2018/19. In 2018/19, 73.1% of advertised agency shifts were filled, but by 2022/23 this had declined to 49.9%. (Scottish Conservative FOI, 13 September 2023, Available on Request).
Bank:
Bank shifts have more than increased by over 80% since 2018/19. In 2018/19, 841,629 bank shifts were advertised in NHS health boards. By 2022/23, this had increased by 80.6% to 1,520,227. In the period April-May 2023, there have already been 314,231 shifts advertised. (Scottish Conservative FOI, 13 September 2023, Available on Request).
The ‘fill’ rate for bank shifts is down 16% since 2018/19. In 2018/19, 71.7% of advertised bank shifts were filled, but by 2022/23 this had declined to 55.3%. (Scottish Conservative FOI, 13 September 2023, Available on Request).