From 1 October 2019, responsibility for some national workforce data, statistical & intelligence function transferred from ISD to NHS Education for Scotland (NES).
A joint letter by the Chief Executives of NSS and NES, dated 23 August 2019, details the rationale for the changes and arrangements for the transfer of these functions.
Publications prior to 3 December 2019 can be accessed via the Public Health Scotland (previously ISD Scotland) Workforce publication page.
The NHS is Scotland's biggest employer. These pages provide information on the people working for NHSScotland, providing details on Doctors and Dentists, Nurses and Midwives, Allied Health Professionals and all the Other Staff groups that make up the workforce of the NHS in Scotland. This information is used to support local, regional and national workforce planning.
We produce quarterly reports of all staff employed by NHSScotland as at census dates of 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December. Data are collected via HR, Payroll and Medical Training programme management applications among other sources.
NHS Education for Scotland (NES) is the source for Official Statistics on the NHSScotland Workforce. NES works to the Code of Practice for Official Statistics which is maintained by the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA). We work to ensure the statistics we produce meet the three pillars of this code; Trustworthiness, Quality and Value.