Hundreds of nursing posts in Lanarkshire are currently vacant.
Over 700 roles across the region are unfilled, the highest number ever recorded for the region.
Some departments, such as learning disability nursing posts, and district nursing posts, have over a quarter of jobs still vacant, according to a nursing union.
The figures were revealed by the Royal College of Nursing Scotland (RCN), with figures also showing that NHS Lanarkshire has a higher rate than the national average for staff absences due to sickness.
The nursing union said the figures show that staff have been left “undervalued and under-resourced”.
Ros Shaw, from RCN Scotland, told Lanarkshire Live : “NHS Lanarkshire is struggling with record levels of nursing vacancies and high levels of sickness absence.
"Nurses and nursing support workers are exhausted and worn down by the past two years.
"But the pressures of the pandemic have exacerbated the long-term issues of a workforce which is undervalued and under-resourced.
“Many of our members are thinking about or actively considering leaving their jobs – at a time when they’re needed more than ever.
"The Scottish government needs to address the recruitment and retention of staff by funding a fair pay rise and implementing safe staffing legislation.”
Over 700 (703) posts are currently unfilled by NHS Lanarkshire - which is 10 per cent of the overall workforce. In March 2016 the number vacant was 178.
Thirty-three per cent of Learning disability nursing posts are unfilled and 26 per cent of district nursing posts are currently vacant.
The Labour list MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy, who covers Rutherglen as part of her region, said she was concerned by the figures.
Ms Duncan-Glancy told us : "This report lays bare the staffing crisis that is rife right across Lanarkshire.
"I know from dealing directly with constituents that this has resulted in lengthy wait times as the health board struggles to compensate with it’s lack of staff.
"Not only does this mean that patients are being let down, it also means the staff that are in place are facing excessive workloads, after what has already been an incredibly difficult few years in the profession.
"Unless this is addressed, proposals to re-mobilise services in the region are simply not achievable.”
Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey defended the Scottish government’s record, adding that they are to invest further in nursing numbers
She said: "Under this Scottish Government, nursing and midwifery staff levels as well as overall NHS staffing levels have increased to record highs.
"At NHS Lanarkshire, the number of overall staff has markedly increased by 17 per cent over the past five years, and over the past ten years, local nursing and midwifery staff has soared by 27 per cent.
"Of course, we want to recruit more and the Scottish Government is investing heavily do so.
"Scotland’s nurses and NHS staff are already the best paid in the UK. In recognition of the pressures NHS and social care staff have experienced over the course of the pandemic, the Scottish Government has made £12m available in the last year to support the wellbeing of the workforce.”
The stats also showed that the sickness absence rate for NHS Lanarkshire is 5.5 per cent, while spending on bank and agency nurses and midwives by the health board sat at nearly £21m as of March 2021.
Kay Sandilands, director of human resources at NHS Lanarkshire, said: “The latest published data from December 2021 has seen an increase in the number of vacancies we have, not just for nursing and midwifery post, but across all disciplines.
"This is reflected by other Boards across Scotland and is due to a combination of factors including winter pressures and the pandemic. However, the 703 figure is for both unregistered and registered staff and it would be inaccurate to quote this as purely nursing and midwifery posts.
"Staff absences have risen over the last year but this is being driven by staff off due to COVID or winter illnesses.
"We have a range of options available to staff to support their wellbeing during what has been the most challenging period in NHS history and my thanks go to each and every member of staff for their continued dedication and commitment to patient care."
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
