In a shocking revelation, approximately one in every four senior mental health roles within the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland remains vacant or is temporarily filled by locum staff. The data, brought to light through freedom of information requests, indicates that out of 586 whole-time equivalent consultant psychiatrist roles, 162 are currently unoccupied. More worryingly, 117 of these vacancies are being handled by temporary staff.

The situation is particularly grim in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, which records the highest number of vacancies. The dearth of full-time appointees is starker in rural and remote areas where the staffing crisis is amplifying the already distressing waiting times for thousands of children and adults seeking mental health services. The resultant pressure is mounting on the existing staff, intensifying the risk of burnout and potentially driving them away from specialist mental health services.

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