Ministers warned over junior doctor recruitment crisis

Scottish Labour has urged to the SNP government to act on warnings of a junior doctor recruitment crisis in Scotland after figures today show applications have fallen this year leaving 100 positions unfilled.

The figures have been revealed as staffing problems continue to plague accident and emergency services at Kirkcaldy's Victoria Hospital, which has been forced to turn away patients.

Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour's Shadow Health spokesperson, said, "A shortage of junior doctors in Scotland would be disastrous for patient care in our hospitals and the SNP must tackle this recruitment crisis as a matter of urgency.

"It is vital that the NHS in Scotland retains these highly skilled individuals who will be our consultants in the years to come.

"We have already seen this week the damaging impact of staffing problems in the NHS, with accident and emergency services being forced to close at Kirkcaldy's Victoria Hospital.

"Unfortunately the NHS is suffering from SNP cuts and with 1,500 nurses facing the axe by this government, the staffing issues on our wards will only get worse.

"The SNP are presiding over a crisis in the NHS and it is time for Ministers to up their game in order to protect patient care."