Scottish Parliament – June 11, 2025 – 2

The result of the division on motion S6M-17869, in the name of Jackie Baillie, on addressing Scotland’s medical and nursing workforce crisis, as amended, is: For 62, Against 53, Abstentions 0. Motion, as amended, agreed to, That the Parliament acknowledges the challenges facing the NHS and the critical contribution of its workforce;

thanks the dedicated NHS staff for their hard work and professionalism in times of enormous pressure;

notes with concern that too many people are waiting too long for treatment and welcomes, therefore, additional funding to reduce patient waits and deliver 150,000 extra appointments and procedures in 2025;

acknowledges the challenges in primary care and community health settings, where too many people face difficulties making a GP appointment;

recognises the calls for greater workforce planning to account for the changing landscape of delivering healthcare, building on historically high levels of staffing;

notes the Scottish Government’s commitment to develop future workforce planning in response to the forthcoming population health and service renewal frameworks;

believes that it is important that this work is informed by doctors working in the NHS through the Future Medical Workforce project, which will report on the planned dialogue, alongside an analysis of workforce demand and supply, by the end of 2025, while continuing with implementation of the Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce over the course of the year, and regrets deeply the UK Labour administration’s reckless decision to close the health and care worker visa to adult social care, which will lead to acute workforce challenges and the closure of services, and have a devastating impact on both those receiving care and staff providing care.