Anas Sarwar Unveils Plan to Fix NHS Staffing Crisis

Anas Sarwar Unveils Plan to Fix NHS Staffing Crisis

Anas Sarwar has pledged to end the scandal of poor NHS workforce planning and make sure the people trained in Scotland build their careers in Scotland.

Mr Sarwar has announced that a Scottish Labour government would introduce a new “Train Here, Stay Here” policy to tackle staffing shortages across the NHS and social care system.

Under the plans, any Scottish medical, nursing or dental student who takes a funded place at a Scottish university would, after graduating, be expected to work in Scotland’s NHS or social care system for at least five years, or repay their tuition support and bursaries.

The Scottish Labour leader said the policy is part of a wider effort to fix the SNP’s failure on workforce planning, which has left Scotland with high vacancy rates while too many nurses and doctors struggle to get training places and clear career pathways.

As part of the wider plan, Mr Sarwar will also commit to a new 10-year NHS workforce strategy, designed with the professions, to properly link university places, training posts and long-term career development.

A Scottish Labour government will:


  • Introduce a new 10-year NHS workforce plan, designed with the professions, to align university places, training posts and long-term workforce need.

  • Change the rules so publicly funded Scottish medical, nursing and dental graduates are expected to work in Scotland’s NHS or social care system for at least five years, or repay tuition support and bursaries.

  • Improve retention through flexible working arrangements, helping staff balance work and family life and supporting experienced professionals to stay in work longer.

  • End the sticking plaster approach to NHS staffing by properly linking training, recruitment and career progression.

Commenting, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “We will fix the SNP’s mess by ending the scandal of poor workforce planning.

“Scotland has high vacancy rates across the NHS, while too many nurses and doctors struggle to get the training places and career pathways they need. That failure of planning is letting down staff and patients alike.

“The NHS workforce is our greatest asset, and a Scottish Labour government will treat it that way. We will back staff properly, improve retention through flexible working, and make sure experienced professionals can stay in work for longer.

“We will also introduce a new 10-year NHS workforce plan, designed with the professions, so training, recruitment and career progression finally line up with Scotland’s needs.

“But we need to go further. If Scotland pays for your training, Scotland should benefit from your skills.

“That is why we will change the rules so that Scottish medical, nursing and dental students on funded university places will be expected to work in Scotland’s NHS or social care system for at least five years after graduating, or repay their tuition support and bursaries.

“This is about fairness to taxpayers, fairness to patients, and fairness to NHS staff who are too often stretched because the workforce simply is not there.

“Scottish Labour will end the sticking plaster approach, plan properly, retain talent, and make sure the people we train in Scotland can build their careers serving patients in Scotland’s NHS.”