Every hospital ward in Scotland should display the number of doctors and nurses on duty at any given time so patients and relatives are fully aware of staffing levels, an MSP has said.
The move was recommended by nursing campaign group Safe Staffing Alliance, following the Stafford Hospital scandal, which has seen a number of nurses struck off.
It is already being rolled out in England and is designed to provide greater transparency in the NHS, as well as better patient care.
Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: “In recent months the issue of NHS staffing has been at the forefront of public debate. Patients know only too well that there are severe shortages of doctors and nurses and that the ratio of these professionals to patients on our hospital wards is vital to ensure raised standards of care.
“One way of doing this would be to display ‘real time’ information on the number of nurses on duty at any given time.
“This would provide reassurances to those being treated by the NHS that staffing levels are adequate. This was a major issue at Stafford Hospital and we must do everything possible to prevent a similar scandal in Scotland.
“It is important that we build a culture of openness within our NHS and providing the public with the most up-to-date information would help achieve this and alert patients to any staff shortages.”