A joint National Workforce Strategy for Health and Social Care has been published by the Scottish Government and COSLA today (Friday, March 11).

Partners from across Health and Social Care contributed valuable insights to its development.

The Strategy provides a framework to deliver the vision of a sustainable, skilled workforce with attractive career choices and fair work, where all are respected and valued for the work they do.

Councillor Stuart Currie, COSLA’s Health and Social Care Spokesperson, said:

“Scotland’s Health and Social Care workforce has been at the forefront of the pandemic response for two years.

"Workers’ dedication and professionalism has been immense, throughout these most difficult of times. Working in extremely challenging environments, they have faced unprecedented pressures and made many individual sacrifices.

"On behalf of local government, I extend my most sincere thanks to them, to colleagues across the public, third and independent sectors, and to carers and volunteers.

“Partners working across Health and Social Care must now adopt a strategic approach to the recovery, growth and transformation of the workforce, that supports the wellbeing of workers, a continued shift to prevention and the provision of high quality support and care for citizens.

“Health and Social Care are interdependent and provide a wide range of stimulating employment and career opportunities. Innovation, new working models, fair work, collaboration and co-design of care, will evolve over the Strategy’s lifespan.  Local Government already has much to be proud of in these areas.

“The values, outcomes and actions outlined in this Strategy provide a foundation for excellence in planning, attracting, developing and nurturing the Health and Social Care workforce, at national and local levels.”

View the Strategy here | www.gov.scot/publications/national-workforce-strategy-health-social-care