A new health service helpline has been accused of causing a staffing crisis by attracting nurses away from other parts of the NHS.

The helpline is already operational in Grampian and recruitment is under way for a new call centre to cover patients in the west of Scotland.

But some consultants have warned that they are losing too many nurses to the attraction of a higher paid job with NHS 24.

The medical committee from North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Stobhill Hospital in Bishopbriggs, is concerned that it has recently lost 75 nurses.

The RCN has welcomed the introduction of NHS 24

However, the Royal College of Nursing has welcomed the development of NHS 24.

The nursing union said that NHS 24 was attracting some nurses back into the profession and giving others - perhaps with injuries - an opportunity to keep working.

An RCN spokesman also said he doubted that all the nurses leaving the North Glasgow Trust were going to work for the telephone service.

And NHS 24 said it was actually helping bring back nurses who had left the profession.

Director of nursing Eunice Muir said: "We have been delighted to say we have been able to recruit more than 55 nurses from outwith the NHS.

Pilot project

"That is people who are returning to NHS service because NHS 24 has attracted them as a career opportunity."

The warning over recruitment for the service came just days after a health watchdog voiced concern at the lack of publicity for the pilot patient facility being offered in Grampian.

The Aberdeen NHS 24 centre opened in May with the aim of reducing pressure on GP out-of-hours services and hospital accident and emergency departments.

It employs 85 nurses and about 40 other staff who offer round-the-clock advice to callers from the area.