A Fife MSP is worried falling numbers of Fife nurses will lead to poorer standards of care.
Statistics released by the Scottish Government has shown what Murdo Fraser is describing as a “substantial” decline in nurses working in NHS Fife since 2010.
In September 2010 there were 3,875 nurses however, by last September that number had fallen to 3,707, a reduction of 168.
The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP is concerned that decreasing numbers will result in poorer standards and lower morale among staff.
“A drop in overall nurse headcount and whole time equivalent is a worrying trend that I hope to see reversed,” he said.
“The Scottish Government must make frontline care a priority. For patients to receive the best possible treatment, hospital wards and health centres must be staffed with nurses who aren’t overstretched and under-resourced.
“Fife’s population is constantly rising and projected to increase by 9.5% within the next 20 years. More nurses will be required to handle this strain.”
Sharon Hutchins, NHS Fife’s deputy director of human resources, said: “Although the headcount of nursing staff in post has fallen by 168 in the period, the drop in whole time equivalent is less than 129.9.
“This is partly explained by fewer nurses being employed on fixed term contracts. The figure does also not take vacancies at the time into account and excludes midwives, who have increased over the same period.”
She added the NHS was committed to using nationally-developed Nursing and Midwifery tools.
She explained a workforce and workload planning exercise has been undertaken which assessed the impact the move to the new build at Victoria Hospital had on staffing levels and provided an assurance to the board that safe nursing establishments were in place.
“As a result of the exercise skill mix, changes were identified and a small number of additional nursing staff were recruited.
“Workforce projections are conducted annually by the board and NHS Fife did not project any reduction in nursing and midwifery staff in post between March 2012 and March 2013.”
She added new ways of working were constantly being explored and the Hospital at Home teams and integrated community assessment and support service will also have an impact.