Latest Articles
Job cut concerns for specialist nurses
30/04/2008
Even though the NHS is predicted to have a £2 billion surplus, some specialist nurses in Britain still fear they could be made redundant, a new poll reveals.A survey by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) discovered that one in five nurses who specialise in areas such as diabetes and breast cancer believe their jobs are currently at risk.
Out of 328 specialist and senior nurses, 45 per cent reported that they had been forced to work outside their specialty because of employee shortages, while 12 per cent said their post had been downgraded.
RCN general secretary Peter Carter warned that losing even one of these "experts" in their field could threaten patient services.
He added that more should be done to recruit further specialty nurses and retain those who are already working.
The RCN says that its aim is to promote "excellence in practice", as well as helping to shape health policies.
