VACANCIES within Scotland’s NHS have reportedly hit record levels, with more than 500 consultant positions and almost 5,000 jobs in nursing and midwifery vacant.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland demanded action today as it emerged that vacancies within nursing and midwifery in June this year amounted to the whole time equivalent of 4,854.4 posts.

That is the highest number ever, the union claimed, with the current total meaning that 7.1 per cent of roles are unfilled.