by Bill Heaney
The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland has warned that workforce wellbeing in Scotland’s NHS is at a crisis point.
Scottish Labour health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: “Protecting the wellbeing of NHS staff is a vital part of ensuring that patients get the care and support they need.
“The truth is that Scotland’s health service has been utterly failed by this SNP government. The workforce is at breaking point, while experienced doctors and nurses are retiring early because of burnout and frustration with a broken system.
“Meanwhile, patients are facing agonising waits in emergency departments to get help, years to get hospital procedures, and many are now spending their life savings to go private.
“As First Minister, Anas Sarwar will ensure that our NHS is free and available at the point of need, declare a national waiting times emergency, and do whatever it takes to fix our NHS.”
- MDDUS surveyed 2,010 of its members in November 2025, asking questions on a variety of topics including burnout.
- The report and further information can be provided by emailing press@mddus.com
Top of page: Exhausted after finishing her shift, a nurse working for the local Health Board.