AN SNP MSP has been criticised after blaming the media for adding to public sector staff shortages by reporting that workers are “exhausted and worn out”.

Kenneth Gibson made the comment at today’s meeting of Holyrood’s Finance and Public Administration Committee, which he chairs.

Giving evidence to MSPs on public service reform, deputy First Minister John Swinney described the “acute challenge” many social care providers faced finding staff.

Mr Gibson responded: “How do we incentivise that in the public sector? 

“In areas where we are in this kind of difficult situation that we find ourselves, you know, the perfect storm of staff who are exhausted.”

The Cunninghame North MSP, who was the subject of a critical media report at the weekend, then added: “Frankly I don’t think it helps recruitment when the media continually focus on how exhausted and worn out, you know, NHS staff [are].

“I don’t know how that encourages people to want to go into that service particularly.”

Tory MSP Craig Hoy said: “This is all too typical of SNP politicians. Rather than taking responsibility for their failures, they prefer to blame others.

“It is ridiculous that this SNP MSP does not want the media to report on issues affecting our frontline health service staff who have gone above and beyond the call of duty during the pandemic. That is a predictable attempt at deflection which just doesn’t ring true. 

Even before the pandemic, the SNP had not done enough to recruit the right number of staff to ensure vital care services are delivered. Those services have felt the brutal effects of the SNP's assault on local authority budgets year after year.

“Kenny Gibson would be better served holding his own government to account, rather than attacking those who are reporting on why our NHS staff are beyond breaking point.”