The number of NHS staff in Scotland has risen by 5% in the last seven years excluding GPs and dentists, according to new figures.
There were 134,171.4 whole time equivalent (WTE) members of staff in post on September 30 this year, an increase of 7,109.5 staff since September 2006.
The statistics, from Information Services Division (ISD), part of NHS National Services Scotland, show the NHS workforce has grown by 2,326.2 WTE staff, or 1.8% in the last year.
The largest group in the workforce was nursing and midwifery, with 42,114 WTE qualified nurses and midwives working in NHS Scotland on September 30.
In the last year the number of NHS consultants in post has increased by 2.3% to 4,665.8 WTE.
Health Secretary Alex Neil said: “It is vital that our approach continues to be led by in-depth evidence-based planning to make sure the right numbers of the right staff group are working in the right place and that they have the right skills.”
