BMA Scotland’s consultant committee responded to the latest quarterly figures for the NHS medical and dentistry consultancy workforce, which were released on Tuesday.

In the quarter ending December 2023, there were 6,006 WTE (whole time equivalent) consultants, with 436 vacancies.

Dr Alan Robertson, chairman of BMA Scotland’s consultant committee said: “For some time now, we have been beyond crisis point for Scotland’s senior doctor workforce.

“Today we can see that stark reality and there is no doubt we are reaching a crunch point where something will have to give.

“New statistics show that consultant vacancies remain far too high, standing at some 436 gaps in the workforce – and up by 5.8% on this time last year.

He added: “Audit Scotland has warned our NHS and its workforce is simply unable to meet the growing demand for health services of our population.

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