New data shows record number of Scottish NHS staff

A record number of people are currently employed by the Scottish NHS, according to new data.

Released by the Scottish government this week, the figures reveal that under the current government the NHS Scotland workforce has increased by almost seven percent, with over 8,800 more whole time equivalent staff.

Moreover, the number of qualified nurses, midwives and consultants have all reached new record levels at a time when the government has also successfully reduced senior management numbers by 29 percent since 2010.

It means the goal of a 25 percent reduction by 2015 has already been reached, meaning the NHS in Scotland will be able to benefit from reduced bureaucracy and greater investment in frontline services, according to the government.

Health secretary Alex Neil said the figures are "a result of our efforts to make sure the NHS has the right number of the right staff group working in the right place to deliver a world-leading health service".

This comes as the country prepares for its vote on Scottish independence from the UK, which is set to take place on September 18th 2014.