Nursing and midwifery vacancies at the Royal Alexandra Hospital are dramatically lower than the national rate, latest figures show.

Statistics released by Information Services Division Scotland reveal there are 33 ‘whole time equivalent’ nursing and midwifery posts open at the Paisley hospital, representing a vacancy rate of just 2.4 per cent.

That is less than half the national rate, which has hit an all-time high of 5.2 per cent.

The longest vacancy at the RAH has been open for three and a half months, although it will soon be filled, pending the conclusion of required paperwork.

There are 1,400 nurses and midwives at the RAH, with vacancies advertised online in a bid to maintain staffing levels.

A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) said: “Vacancies are being advertised online and on social media links, including Twitter and Facebook.

“Our recruiters also attend higher education institutions to attract interest to our posts.

“NHSGGC has a workforce of more than 38,000 and, with a workforce of this size, we will always have a small number of vacancies within our clinical workforce.

“As soon as we know nursing vacancies will open, we advertise for suitable staff. Our commitment and priority is always to patient care and we make every effort to recruit quality candidates to vacant posts.

“As a board, we have also increased investment in training programmes to upskill our staff.”

Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP Mhairi Black said she is happy to see the RAH has lower vacancies than the national rate.

She added: “The health board appears to be working hard to keep vacancies as low as possible.”

Across the country, health visitors and paediatric services have the highest vacancy rates, with many posts remaining empty for more than six months.