A taskforce has unveiled 44 key actions aimed at improving conditions for Scotland’s nurses and midwives.
The Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce was set up by the Scottish Government in 2023 to enhance efforts in making Scotland the best place for nurses and midwives to work.
Chaired by Health Secretary Neil Gray, the taskforce includes key stakeholders such as the Royal Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery, ensuring frontline professionals are heard.
A vital part of this initiative was the Listening Project, which gathered insights from over 4,000 nurses, midwives, students, and academics.
These insights shaped 44 recommended actions designed to improve staff retention, recruitment, and workplace conditions.
The recommendations include ensuring appropriate staffing levels so that all staff can take their entitled breaks.
Reducing administrative burdens by reviewing data-inputting and paperwork requirements is another priority.
Developing national guidance on rostering and flexible working aims to create a better work-life balance for staff.
The plan also ensures nurses and midwives have a voice in decision-making and planning.
Widening access routes into nursing and midwifery careers is another key measure to strengthen the workforce.
The next phase of the taskforce will focus on implementing these recommendations with a structured work plan and timeline.
Cabinet Secretary for Health, Neil Gray, confirmed that all 44 recommendations would be taken forward.
He stated that Scotland’s nurses and midwives are the backbone of the healthcare system and deserve the best support, flexibility, and workplace conditions.
Gray highlighted that the taskforce report is a significant milestone shaped by the voices of healthcare professionals and pledged to deliver real change.
RCN Scotland Director, Colin Poolman, welcomed the recommendations and the collaborative effort behind them.
He acknowledged that implementation will take time and investment but sees the strategy as a crucial step in tackling Scotland’s nursing retention and recruitment challenges.
Poolman confirmed the RCN’s commitment to playing a key role in ensuring the successful delivery of the taskforce’s objectives.
As the implementation board takes shape, the focus will shift to turning these recommendations into reality, ensuring Scotland remains an attractive place for nurses and midwives to build their careers.
