THE number of NHS staff taking early retirement has more than doubled in the last eight years.
Figures show 730 health workers took early retirement or accessed their pension early last year, compared with just 358 in 2010/11.
In crisis-hit NHS Tayside, which has come under fire over its use of charity cash to cover general running costs, the number has tripled.
Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesman Alex Cole-Hamilton warned clinical staff are “increasingly looking for an early exit”.
He said: "The SNP Government has relied on the goodwill of NHS staff to keep services going for too long. Staff are battling to stay on top of their workloads on every shift in the face of rising vacancies and increasing demand.
"Clinicians voiced concerns about these pressures 15 months ago and the First Minister assured them that the imminent workforce plan would ensure the NHS has the right mix and number of staff in future.
“There is no excuse for the continuing failure of ministers to finish the plan. Those working in primary care are still waiting to learn how the government will help them.
"If health professionals had confidence that the government had the necessary ideas and ambition more might be persuaded to stick around.
“Instead, there is no sign of the huge investment required in mental health, of the 800 extra GPs we need or of the support required to meet ministers' waiting time targets.
"Time is now up for Shona Robison. The public can no longer have faith any faith in her ability to turn this around."
Scottish LibDem leader Willie Rennie previously joined calls for Ms Robison to resign in the wake of the NHS Tayside scandal.
Ms Robison said: “Under this Government NHS staff numbers have risen by over 13,000 to record high levels, meaning more doctors, nurses working across Scotland.
“There are a number of reasons why people may choose to take early retirement, or opt for more flexible working hours later in their working life. This flexibility allows NHS employees to balance work-life commitments as they get older.
“Our recruitment and retention efforts are supported by record investment of over £13 billion in Scotland’s NHS. Our National Health and Social Care Workforce Plan outlines the actions we are taking to recruit, retain and develop the multidisciplinary and flexible workforce we need to continue delivering high quality care.”
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