THE NHS is "haemorrhaging" A&E staff because they are worn down by a relentless workload in understaffed and overcrowded hospitals, doctors leaders have warned.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine in Scotland said a dissatisfaction among staff of being unable to deliver a high standard of care was leading to growing numbers emigrating or moving into other areas.

The college has estimated that the NHS spends around £130million, alone, training emergency consultants for UK hospitals, who end up working in Australia.

It is demanding the Scottish Government address a four point plan which includes an increase in staffing levels, warning that although the number of A&E consultants, at 190, falls short of the 230 agreed by the college with the government in 2012.

This aimed to provide trained consultants on the clinical "shop-floor" for 16 hours a day, 365 days a year.

It warns that the shortage of doctors and consultants is being filled in part by locum doctors, "which wastes precious funds at a time when NHS resources are scarce."

The report said: "Our Members and Fellows tell us that they are being worn down by the relentless workload in understaffed and crowded EDs.

"More must be done to retain and value our trainees.

"Failure to address this will result in continued and accelerated haemorrhage of the acute workforce."

The college has also called for further action to tackle exit block or delayed discharges and for primary care services, including GPs, Primary Care Nurses, psychiatrists and other community specialists to be co-located with emergency services.,

In January the Scottish Government announced £100m of funding, to tackling delayed discharges by helping health boards and councils provide support packages for people in their own homes.

Dr Martin McKechnie, Vice President (Scotland) of The Royal College of Emergency Medicine said: "The College welcomes the support the Scottish Government has given to increasing staffing and tackling crowding in our EDs.

"We now need real action to be taken to champion our talented emergency medicine workforce, otherwise we will continue to lose staff to emigration and to other specialties."

Health Secretary Shona Robison said:"The four points suggested by the College are relevant and in line with the work we are already doing to improve A&E performance as it faces challenges like increased demand and an ageing population.

"For example, we have continued to drive increased recruitment.

"Our new collaborative approach to unscheduled care across Scotland, developed in partnership with RCEM, aims to ensure the whole NHS system works together effectively."