The Royal College of Nursing is warning government that it is creating a nursing crisis by allowing a loss of over 6000 qualified nursing posts and a reduction in training posts.

Since the government came to power the NHS workforce has shrunk by nearly 21,000 despite its promises to protect the staff. The RCN warns of nursing shortages and poor patient care within three years.

The government continues to dismiss the RCN figures as scare-mongering with health minister, Dr Daniel Poulter commenting: “NHS performance is strong; waiting times and infection rates are at record low levels. To say that the NHS is in crisis is scaremongering and doesn’t reflect reality. The health service is changing – the workforce is changing to reflect this, but changes must be decided at local level, based on evidence that they will improve patient care”.