RCN hits out at cuts to NHS nurse staffing levels

The government has been criticised by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) for "reckless" policy decisions that have created an exodus of talent from the UK nursing sector.

Research from the organisation reveals that there are 3,994 fewer full-time equivalent nursing staff working in senior positions – a category including ward sisters, community matrons, clinical nurse specialists and advanced nurse practitioners – now than in April 2010

According to the RCN, this is because staff have been treated as "disposable", with the number of people employed in these roles falling as a quick way of reducing NHS spending levels.

However, the college warned that this loss of talent could have a negative impact on care quality, particularly given the rising number of people needing complex care and the growing pressures on hospitals.

Dr Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of the RCN, said: "These cuts are a short-term attempt by trusts to find efficiency savings, yet they will lead to a very serious and very long-term crisis in our health service."

This comes at a time when the government is planning to introduce new safe staffing laws to ensure services are properly manned at all times. The rules come into effect next month as part of the official response to the recent Francis Inquiry.