Specialist nurses concerned about job cuts

Some specialist nurses in Britain have concerns about the possibility of job cuts, a survey by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) reveals.

Although it has been predicted that the NHS will have a £2bn surplus, the poll discovered that around 20% of nurses specialising in areas such as breast cancer, diabetes and rheumatology fear they could be made redundant.

Some 45% said they had been asked to work outside their specialty due to staff shortages, while 12% reported that their position had been downgraded.

Peter Carter, RCN General Secretary, said that the loss of even one of these 'highly trained experts' could negatively impact upon services.

'We should be looking at ways to recruit more specialist nurses and keep those already working in the profession,' he added.

Recent research from the RCN warned that too much red tape in the profession is keeping nurses from spending enough time with patients.