SCOTTISH Labour leader Richard Leonard has expressed concerns over the contracts of NHS bank staff.

In a letter to Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, he said NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is only offering contracts to bank staff who can work a preferred shift pattern.

He added many NHS staff enter the bank system due to pressures on their time such as having children or being a carer for a vulnerable person, and he called for a more flexible arrangement for staff.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: Fresh fears of bank staff opt-out over sick pay

Bank staff are fully trained NHS workers who cannot undertake full-time hours but are retained for work on a temporary basis in different places depending on demand.

His calls came as the NHS Louisa Jordan hospital at the SEC today became ready for patients.

The Labour leader wrote: “As I am sure you will appreciate, many staff become bank nurses because they have other commitments and these will not reduce (and may have even increased) during this crisis.

“It is therefore counter-productive to lay this down as a condition and a more flexible approach will help maximise the number of bank nurses who can make themselves available at this critical time.”

Leonard also voiced concern about reports that some bank staff enrolled in the pension scheme are only eligible for a payout in the event they died at work, rather than from something caused while at work.

READ MORE: NHS Louisa Jordan completes construction work and is prepared to treat coronavirus patients from tomorrow

He said: “Although the three and six-month contracts carry other service benefits including sick pay, it is my understanding that death in service benefit for those bank staff that are in the superannuation scheme do not qualify from the death in service benefit unless they die on a booked shift.

“That could result in staff contracting Covid-19 at work, dying some time later and their families not receiving this payment.

“Not only are these staff coming forward at a time of need, they are contributing no less than substantive staff in the same position.

“Given the increase in health service staff affected by Covid-19, this situation needs to be rectified as a priority and I would

appreciate if you might give it your urgent attention.”

Meanwhile, Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh confirmed that Holyrood committees are to be held remotely, as MSPs will be asked to approve rule changes.

Changes to Scottish Parliament standing orders are to be proposed tomorrow, when MSPs return to Holyrood after the Easter recess, which will formalise virtual meetings.

Previously, only committee hearings held in person within the Scottish Parliament were considered formal meetings.

The announcement comes after three virtual sessions were held, two for party leaders to question the First Minister and another for MSPs to interrogate some members of the Cabinet.

The Presiding Officer said it is “quite clear” that Parliament should continue to work throughout the pandemic, adding there is a “pressing need” for Government scrutiny.

Sessions at Holyrood have been limited to just one a week, rather than the usual three and the Presiding Officer said there are no plans to scrap face-to-face sittings of the whole Parliament.

In recent months, three MSPs have announced plans to step down at next year’s election, citing the lack of a work-life balance and distance as being the key contributing factors.