Ayrshire frontline health worker numbers increase

Jan 2 2009 by Lisa Boyle

MORE people than ever before are working on the frontline of our health service.

The total number of medical staff, including GPs and medical support, in Ayrshire and Arran has increased by 247 since last year.

This time in 2007, there were 10,691 staff. Now there are 10,938.

Adam Ingram MSP claims there are more doctors, nurses, midwives and dentists working in the country’s hospitals than ever before.

He said: “People in Ayrshire will be noticing the real difference SNP investment in the health service is making.

“Putting more workers on the frontline is the key to delivering better standards of healthcare.

“Dentists shortages in particular have been a major problem in recent years with the last years of Labour seeing dentists dropping out of the NHS and a shortage of NHS dental services. Now we are seeing real improvements in access to NHS dentists with an extra 157 NHS dentists across Scotland.

“Today's figures demonstrate that the SNP is investing more in the NHS than ever before and is working with the NHS to ensure a healthier Scotland.”

Chris Lisle, executive director of organisation and human resources development, said: “We continually strive to recruit highly qualified staff to the most appropriate vacant positions.

“Our staff help deliver the highest quality standards of healthcare for the people of Ayrshire and Arran.”