What is the SNP doing for nurses & midwives?

There are more key staff in our NHS, including a near 20% increase in the number of nurses and midwives since the SNP came to office.

• Nursing and Midwifery staffing is up by 18.6% under the SNP.
• We have 8.8 qualified nurses and midwives per 1,000 people in Scotland – this has increased from 8.1 per 1,000 population over the last decade.

Nurses, midwives and other healthcare staff across Scotland were offered a pay increase of 8% over two years to ensure they continue to be the best paid in the UK.

• The offer guarantees the pay increase will be one percentage point above inflation over the same period.
• This strong two-year pay offer was agreed following constructive engagement with trade union representatives.
• It is guaranteed to remain above inflation and gives added reassurance to staff to ensure Scotland’s nurses, midwives and NHS staff have the best pay in the UK.
• It directly increases the overall cost of pay by an estimated £191 million for Scotland’s NHS.

The SNP government’s package of support for Scottish student nurses and midwives is currently at its highest level, and is the highest level of support available to nursing and midwifery students across the UK.

• It includes an annual £10,000 bursary which is non‑means‑tested and non‑repayable.
• Eligible students receive free tuition, free uniforms disclosure and health checks, and reimbursement of clinical placement expenses covering travel and accommodation.

The SNP in government also delivered a Nursing & Midwifery Taskforce plan.

• This includes recommended actions focusing on retention, working conditions, attraction and career development.
• Recommended actions include reviewing how to promote flexible working options for nurses and midwives, and developing flexible rostering practice to promote better work‑life balance.
• Through the work of the Taskforce, we are also actively pursuing new routes to widen participation and broaden access to nursing and midwifery careers.