New national guidelines that will make it easier for experienced nursing staff to continue to work while drawing their pension, have been published by Scottish government today (Tuesday 30 August 2022).
The need to do more to retain experienced nursing staff and to improve flexible working opportunities was raised directly with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care at RCN’s Valuing Nursing roundtable earlier this year.
The Cabinet Secretary made a commitment to review flexible working opportunities for nursing staff following this event. The new guidelines have been developed in partnership with employers and the health trade unions.
Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland Interim Director said: “Our members raised their concerns about the lack of flexible working opportunities for nursing staff who wished to continue their careers on reduced hours following early retirement directly with the Cabinet Secretary earlier this year. They will be pleased to see that they have been listened too and this policy has been improved.
“However more must be done. Six in ten of our members told us they are considering leaving their current job. Scotland’s health and care services cannot afford to lose any more nursing staff. We must ensure that nursing is seen as an attractive and rewarding career if Scotland is to retain and recruit the nursing workforce it needs.”
The NHS Scotland Interim National Arrangement on Retire and Return sets out a simple and standardised process across Scotland.
