Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has expressed concern at a reduction in nursing and midwifery staff at NHS Forth Valley.
Between September 2012 and 2013, the headcount number of nursing and midwifery staff in Forth Valley decreased by 1.4% resulting in a drop of 44 nurses.
This latest decline in nursing staff, is contrasted against the wider Scottish picture which shows a 5% increase in nurses and midwifes.
There was also an 11% decline in whole time equivalent Dental nurses, dropping from 49 to 44.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“A drop in overall nurse headcount and whole time equivalent is a worrying trend that I hope to see reversed. Forty-four fewer nurses is not in itself a huge decrease, but during a time of increasing staff numbers I would have hoped to see Forth Valley benefit.
“The Scottish Government must make frontline care a priority. For patients to receive the best possible treatment, hospital wards and health centres must be staffed with nurses who aren’t overstretched and under resourced.
“Forth Valley’s population is constantly rising and projected to increase within the next 20 years. More nurses will be required to handle this strain.”