The Scottish Government should ban the use of zero hour contracts in health and social care jobs if it wants to solve a recruitment crisis, campaigners have claimed.
Zero Hours Justice, a UK-wide group calling for reform, said potential applicants were being put off by poor pay and working conditions.
SNP ministers are planning to revolutionise the sector by creating the National Care Service - a move they insist will help drive up standards and allow for collective bargaining on wages.
Health secretary Humza Yousaf said companies bidding for Scottish Government projects were already evaluated on their "fair working practices" while the "vast majority" of NHS staff were on permanent contracts.
But campaigners want Holyrood to take action now and end the use of zero hour health jobs.
Chris Peace, Zero Hours Justice campaign director, said: "GPs have repeatedly warned that the lack of social care staff threatens to overwhelm the NHS. Recently published statistics show that on average 1832 hospital beds in Scotland are taken up each day due to delayed discharge.
"Much of this is caused by the inability to provide social care support due to a lack of staffing. Indeed, according to the Scottish Government the social care vacancy rate in Scotland is at an eye watering 43 per cent.
"These health professionals work under huge pressure, providing vital public services. They performed heroically during the Covid pandemic to keep us safe and well.
"They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect with a secure contract, fair pay and decent working conditions. The Scottish Government must take action to get rid of these pernicious contracts from the system."
Yousaf said: "The Scottish Government firmly opposes the inappropriate use of zero hours contracts and other non-standard types of employment that offer workers minimal job or financial security.
"Companies bidding to win a Scottish Government contract are evaluated on their fair working practices, where it is relevant and proportionate to do so. This includes the inappropriate use of zero hours contracts and this will be extended to the National Care Service.
"The Fair Work in Social Care group has developed a set of minimum terms and conditions, including investigating ways to end the misuse of zero hours contracts within the social care sector, and work to deliver these standards with key stakeholders has begun."
The SNP minister added: "NHS Scotland offers a variety of employment opportunities including through permanent, fixed term and as and when required contracts.
"The vast majority of staff are on permanent contracts of employment with as and when required contracts used for the NHS Staff Bank.
"The Staff Bank offers flexible opportunities to individuals who do not wish to commit to a permanent contract or hours of work. These individuals are free to apply for a permanent role with a fixed commitment at any time."
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