Army of 2545 additional NHS staff recruited across Greater Glasgow

Over the past month an ongoing recruitment drive for key frontline services has seen large numbers signing up.

Nursing and Midwifery has taken on the bulk of additional staff – with more than 1670 nurses and healthcare support workers joining up.

Additional service increases include 200 new employees for the Estates and Facilities Team, and a further 500 interviews took place over the weekend.

The 2545 number is formed of a broad pool of talent which includes brand new starters, as well as retired staff returning to the frontline, final year medical students, and those returning to the service with previous healthcare experience.

Many workers will join immediately, with the rest creating a bank of qualified professionals to be called on as and when required.

Additionally, large numbers of current health professionals within anaesthetics, theatres, surgery and medicine among others, have undertaken additional training to enable them to work alongside intensive care colleagues to treat increasing numbers of ill patients.

Anne MacPherson, Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “COVID-19 has led to the largest recruitment drive the health board has ever undertaken in such a short period of time, and has resulted in in thousands more staff signing up to join in the efforts to combat the pandemic.

“There is a huge operation to process applications, undertake interviews and manage assignments of new staff, and the whole team has worked collaboratively and tirelessly to make this happen and I’d like to thank everyone involved in the process for their hard work so far.

“The new staff will provide invaluable support across the service, playing a crucial role in the care of patients, and ensuring we’re able to continue delivering high quality, safe and person centred care. We are confident we have the processes in place to recruit further staff in coming weeks and months if required.”