A new report exploring how Scotland’s medical workforce may need to evolve over the next 15 to 20 years has been published today, following six months of extensive engagement with the profession.
The Future Medical Workforce report reflects insights from over 2,000 doctors through a national survey and 40 focus groups, capturing both the joy and privilege doctors feel in caring for patients and the pressures of increasing workloads and service demands.
Doctors shared the pride and sense of purpose their profession brings, but also highlighted challenges in balancing service delivery with training, managing risk, and sustaining fulfilling careers. Senior doctors expressed concerns about being perceived as gatekeepers who ration care, often held responsible for delays beyond their control, which impacts their sense of value and influence.
The report stresses that planning for the future must go beyond workforce numbers and roles. It should focus on creating positive working environments, manageable workloads, and access to resources that enable high-quality patient care. If doctors feel valued and supported, medicine becomes an attractive and sustainable career.
Key themes include:
- Empowering doctors to practice realistic medicine and embed holistic care principles.
- Thoughtful use of multi-disciplinary teams and consultant-led services.
- Improving the planning and design of training to attract and retain talent.
- Recognising the vital role of educators and trainers in supporting students and resident doctors.
Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray said:
"Our doctors are the backbone of our NHS and it’s vital that we plan now to ensure we have the right workforce in place to meet Scotland's healthcare needs in the decades ahead.
“I have been clear of the need to listen closely to doctors at every career stage, and I am grateful for their honesty and insight which is invaluable in shaping our next steps.
"Scotland's population is changing. People are living longer and many of the cases we see in hospitals are now more complex. The decisions we make today will shape our future medical workforce and we are committed to empowering our doctors with positive working environments, manageable workloads and the resources they need to continue providing excellent care.
“We have invested a record £21.7 billion in our NHS this year and reached a historic deal with GPs by investing £531 million over the next three years.
"The next phase of this project will turn these insights into action, working in partnership with the profession to deliver meaningful change that supports the medical workforce and improves care for patients across Scotland."
The report calls for considered discussions on how to nurture the profession, ensuring doctors feel inspired and able to sustain fulfilling careers while meeting Scotland’s future healthcare needs.
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