Almost 20 of consultant psychiatrist jobs seeking permanent recruit data shows

Nearly one in five senior mental health roles in Scotland are either vacant or filled by locums, figures show.

Freedom of information requests by the Scottish Liberal Democrats found 19% of permanent consultant psychiatrist roles are vacant or filled on a temporary basis, although it varies widely by area.

Smaller health boards such as NHS Shetland and NHS Western Isles have no permanent consultant psychiatrists, the data shows.

Across the whole of Scotland, 101 consultant psychiatrist posts out of 536 whole-time equivalent roles are currently vacant.

The health board with the highest number of vacancies is NHS Tayside at 21.1 – 33.9% of its total staff in this area.

In NHS Fife, more than 40% of permanent consultant psychiatrist roles are vacant.

The Lib Dems urged the Scottish Government “to get serious about staffing to tackle Scotland’s mental health crisis”.

Party leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “On the SNP’s watch, a significant number of the most senior mental health roles are either lying empty or being filled on a temporary basis.

“These gaps will only add to the devastating waiting times that thousands of children and adults are already suffering, while piling on the pressure for staff.

“Alongside increasing the number of consultant psychiatrists in training, Scottish Liberal Democrats would roll out more counsellors in schools and deliver more mental health professionals in GP surgeries and A&E departments.

“Scotland deserves world-class mental health services – that starts by getting serious about staffing.”

Mental Wellbeing minister Maree Todd said: “We have record numbers of staff providing more varied support and services to a larger number of people than ever before.

“That is why, even with the continuing fiscal challenges we face, ministers have decided to increase the draft mental health budget for next financial year so that we can build on these improvements.

“If approved by Parliament, we will provide a record £21.7 billion for health and social care, including supporting spending of £1.3 billion for mental health services, and more than doubling direct investment in mental health since 2020-21.”

Published: 26/01/2025 by Radio NewsHub