More than 1,000 consultant vacancies in Scotland, figures show

There are more than 1,000 vacancies in Scotland’s NHS for consultants, figures have shown, as a health body called for action.

Statistics released to BMA Scotland under freedom of information legislation show 1,003 whole-time equivalent (WTE) vacancies for senior doctors in the country’s 14 health boards – a vacancy rate of 14.4%.

The figure has dropped slightly from 1,076 WTE vacancies recorded last year.

But the number is at odds with that reported by National Education Scotland (NES) in September, which showed just 398 whole time vacancies.

The NES release does not count posts being temporarily filled by locums, those not yet being advertised or those that have been empty for so long they are no longer being advertised.

Dr Alan Robertson, the chair of the BMA’s Scottish consultants committee, said it was “deeply concerning” there had been an “alarming lack of progress” in tackling the issue.

He added: “These figures on consultant vacancies are particularly concerning in light of the recent pledge by the First Minister for the NHS in Scotland to have hundreds of thousands of additional appointments and procedures available each year.

“There is a major question mark over how this extra capacity can be delivered when there are already not enough consultants to simply keep up with current demand and as these figures show, many posts are unfilled.”

John Swinney announced plans for an additional 150,000 appointments in the NHS in a bid to decrease waiting lists.

Dr Robertson said it would take 13 years to fill the current number of vacancies at the current rate, adding: “We need urgent action to tackle the medical workforce crisis – which includes firstly recognising and acknowledging the true picture when it comes to Scotland’s medical workforce vacancies and then planning to recruit and retain the staff needed to provide the public with the service they require and expect, ensuring the long-term sustainability of our health service.

“While the investment in consultant pay last year was a welcome step along the path towards full pay restoration, it is vital for the long-term stability of the NHS that Scotland is a competitive and attractive place for consultants to work.

“This will not only go towards improving retention and recruitment but benefit the NHS and patients whose care suffers as workforce vacancies go unaddressed.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “There are a record high number of medical & dental consultants in Scotland, including directors.

“Since 2006, the number of consultants has increased by 70% and our NHS workforce has seen 12 consecutive years of growth.

“While vacancies within an organisation as large and complex as NHS Scotland are to be expected, we are supporting boards to fill more shifts with either staff in substantive roles or by individuals on NHS Board staff banks, limiting the use of agency as much as possible.”

Published: 05/02/2025 by Radio NewsHub