Up to 15,000 more hospital staff may be needed in the next 13 years.
An ESRI workforce requirements report foresees the need for additional workers, due to population increases.
By 2035, the population is projected to be in the region of 5.4 million, with the number of people aged 85 and older within that time, projected to more than double.
As a result, the ESRI foresees an increased need for health and social care professionals, to care for these older people in hospital and healthcare settings.
It estimates that staff increases in the region of 12,418 and 15,491 thousand would be needed.
Which would include up to 3,200 more medical staff 8,800 more nursing and midwifery staff and up to 3,200 extra healthcare assistants.
While the highest per annum growth is projected for occupational therapists and speech and language therapy
