STAFFING at a neonatal unit hit by a baby death scandal "remains vulnerable", according to an official report.

Health board papers reveal concerns about consultant numbers at the neonatal unit at Wishaw General hospital in Lanarkshire.

In the report, NHS Lanarkshire say it is drafting proposals to increase the number of consultants to help "stabilise" staffing.

The papers state that three out of the four junior doctors in post are not full-time, with only "sporadic" cover for the vacant hours using bank staff.

Two new consultants post have been filled but one of the doctors is not due to start until October.

The health board says staffing remains vulnerable despite new appointments, including a new speciality doctor and a trainee.

Concerns were raised earlier this year over the deaths of three babies at the hospital between August 2013 and February 2014.

The infants contracted blood poisoning in the unit. Staff claimed the unit is understaffed and that nurses are overloaded.

An independent report concluded that the deaths were not linked and there was no evidence that inadequate staffing was a contributory factor.

However the report did highlight staffing concerns.

An NHS Lanarkshire spokesman said: "The recruitment of additional medical staff has been challenging.

"However, since July we have appointed a new speciality doctor, an additional trainee and a previous locum doctor has been appointed to a permanent post.

"This has stabilised staffing levels within the unit.

"We aim to further expand the medical consultant workforce and we are undertaking a national and international recruitment campaign to attract the highest calibre of applicant."

caroline.wilson@eveningtimes.co.uk