ALMOST £7 million will be invested in training nurses as part of a new NHS workforce plan, the Health Secretary has announced.

Shona Robison said the funding would be directed at helping the existing nursing workforce better meet the needs of people who need care in their own homes, GP practices or other community settings.

The Scottish Government's new primary care workforce plan emphasises the importance of highly skilled multi-disciplinary teams.

It also sets out plans for an extra 800 GPs to be recruited over the next ten years as well as an annual investment of £35 million by 2022 for an extra 800 mental health workersA&E departments, GP practices, police stations and prisons.

Robison said: "A strong and professional workforce is at the centre of the success of Scotland's health and social system.

"The investment in nurse training will mean that more patients are treated in the community and ensure the sustainability of a multi-disciplinary team approach.

"Scotland is leading the way on workforce planning and I am proud that we are the first nation in the UK to publish a plan that not only puts community care at its heart, but also helps prepare us for the expected challenges Brexit may bring for our workforce."

Theresa Fyffe, Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland director, said: "RCN Scotland is pleased that the Scottish Government has listened to our concerns and that this plan reflects the need for a new approach to developing multi-professional primary care teams.

"We welcome the recognition that district nurses, advanced nurse practitioners and practice nurses are essential in providing safe, high quality care in our communities and to the overall success of primary care services.

"The commitment to investing £6.9 million over three years for the education and training of general practice nurses and district nurses is a move in the right direction.

"We will continue to work with the Scottish Government to support the development of plans for further investment to grow the community nursing workforce, and district nurses in particular, to meet the needs of patients and shift the balance of care from hospitals and into our communities.

"We look forward to seeing the detail of the Government's commitment to this by September."