Scotland’s Health Secretary has accepted all the recommendations made by an expert nursing and midwifery group on how to improve working conditions.

After two years of work and with the input of more than 4,000 nurses and midwives, the Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce has now published its final report.

Its recommendations include a review of the financial support available to students, expanding the role of nurses and midwives in local and national planning, and improving entry routes to the profession – including ‘earn as you learn’ schemes.

The Scottish government has also committed to develop national guidance on flexible working and to reduce the administrative burden on nurses and midwives.

One of the taskforce members, the Royal College of Nurses (RCN) Scotland Director Colin Poolman, said the publication of the report is a “significant step” toward beginning to tackle some of the biggest issues facing nurse recruitment and retention:

“This is the culmination of two years of collaborative working, and we welcome the recommended actions announced.”

Accepting all 44 recommendations, Health Secretary Neil Gray said he will now work with partners to deliver the changes:

“Our nurses and midwives are the backbone of Scotland’s healthcare system, and we are committed to ensuring they have the support, flexibility and workplace conditions to thrive.

“The publication of the Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce report marks an important milestone; we have heard directly from staff about what matters most to them, and this has shaped the recommended actions which will deliver real change for nurses and midwives.

“I am very grateful to everyone who has taken the time to take part in this important piece of work.”

Listening to nurses and midwives

Established in 2023, the Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce  has sought to address concerns raised by staff around attraction, training, recruitment and retention issues in nursing and midwifery.

Membership has included representatives from the NHS, the nursing regulator, professional organisations, trade unions and academics.

Findings from a series of engagement events with current and future nursing and midwifery staff informed the development of the recommendations.

Those who took part in the Listening Project reported loving what they do, but feeling that the system they work within and the pressure they are under is making it harder to enjoy their work.

Many highlighted the need to use social media to attract new recruits, and the role of visible, hands-on-leadership that works collaboratively with patient-facing staff in making improvements.

A total of 71% of respondents to a taskforce survey spoke about the importance of improving existing working conditions, including pay, banding and staffing levels, to retain staff.

Jaki Lambert, the Director for Scotland for the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), said the views of its members have been clearly reflected in the recommendations of the taskforce:

“We are pleased that Scottish government took a partnership approach to this work and listened to the midwifery community in Scotland.

“These recommendations are essential, but this is just the start of the hard work and while we will continue to amplify our members voice nationally as implementation begins, we want every midwife and maternity care assistant to be part of this change.”

The actions will now be taken forward by a dedicated implementation board, which will make decisions on timescales and funding for delivery.

RCN Scotland’s Mr Poolman added that bringing about change takes “time and investment” and the College will play a key role in ensuring the government delivers on its “aspiration of making Scotland the best place for nurses and midwives to work”.

Read more: Student nurses take workforce woes to politicians; Nursing report spotlights burnout and discrimination; Breastfeeding in Glasgow: A collective responsibility

Sign up to our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox and you can follow healthandcare.scot on Google News.