UPDATE: Nearly 180,000 NHS workers in Scotland may miss out on a proposed bank holiday to celebrate the national football team’s World Cup debut. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has expressed hope that NHS boards will be “flexible,” but she has not guaranteed that all staff will get the day off.
The Scottish Government recently announced plans to designate June 15, 2023, as a national bank holiday, coinciding with Scotland’s first match against Haiti in the FIFA World Cup in Boston. The holiday is seen as an opportunity for Scots to come together and celebrate this momentous occasion.
However, MSP Ash Regan has raised concerns about whether NHS staff will be included in this holiday. Regan, who previously served as an SNP Minister, questioned Forbes about the entitlements for NHS workers. Forbes stated, “The First Minister’s proposal will create an opportunity for the country to come together. We encourage employers, including NHS Boards, to be as flexible as possible.”
Regan responded critically, emphasizing that while the bank holiday proposal has generated excitement, the lack of a clear directive from the Scottish Government leaves NHS staff in uncertainty. She noted, “All Scottish Government staff will receive the extra bank holiday, which raises expectations that our hardworking NHS staff should also benefit.”
With the decision now resting with individual NHS boards, there is a growing concern that many employees will miss the chance to celebrate. Regan insists that the Scottish Government must clarify that NHS staff will also receive the day off, as has been the case with previous additional bank holidays.
As the situation develops, the focus turns to how the Scottish Government will address these concerns and support its vital healthcare workers. This issue is particularly pressing as the World Cup approaches, with Scots eager to unite in support of their team.
Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding situation that could impact hundreds of thousands of NHS staff in Scotland.
