Briefing 136 – The ‘Safe Staffing’ Act in the NHS.

thumbnail of Briefing 136 Health and Care Staffing Act in NHS The Health and Care Staffing (Scotland) Act comes into force in April 2024. The Bill gives staff in the NHS the right to raise concerns about unsafe levels of staffing and have those concerns investigated.

The Act places a duty on Health Boards to ensure that “at all times suitably qualified and competent individuals…are working in such numbers as are appropriate” – both to provide healthcare and (secondary to that) “the wellbeing of staff”.