Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary Ross Finnie MSP has demanded the Health Secretary launch an investigation into sickness absence rates at NHS 24.

Official figures released today show a worryingly high sickness absence rates at NHS 24.

Commenting, Mr Finnie said:

“These official figures have pre-empted the answer to my recent question to the Scottish Government about what progress NHS 24 made towards achieving the Efficient Government sickness absence target of 4 per cent by the end of March this year.

“The answer is that NHS 24 has missed the target for efficient government. The sickness absence rate at NHS 24 is also by far the highest of any health board.

“The Health Secretary must order an investigation as to why NHS 24 has performed so badly and why its staff are more prone to sickness absence.

“It is time for a review of the provision of 24 hour care in Scotland and these figures indicate that it should begin urgently."