Student numbers maintained, but looming shortage of nurses, warns RCN

Published: 25 February 2013

Commenting on the announcement that the Scottish Government has decided not to cut the student nurse intake numbers this year, Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland Director Theresa Fyffe said: 

“We have consistently said that cutting the numbers was bad news for patients and for health and social care services in the future. Demographic trends mean that demand for health and social care services can only go up. We have an ageing population, with many older people living longer with increasingly complex conditions, who need the skills and knowledge of professional nurses to care for them. So we’re pleased that the Cabinet Secretary has taken on board the evidence we gave on student nurse numbers and has stopped the downward trend of the last two years.

“However, we’re already seeing worrying signs across the UK and internationally that there’s a looming shortage of nurses. The Government here needs to work with us and other trade unions and organisations to put in place a new process to determine student nurse numbers, so we can get away from the ‘boom and bust’ approach we’ve seen over the last decade.

“The new process for determining student nurse intake numbers must be based on robust workforce plans from our health boards, which take into account the number of nurses required in all health settings, as well as the skills and knowledge they will need to meet the needs of patients in the future.  Given the push to integrate adult health and social care, it must also allow for non-NHS workforce demands, for example, in care homes and in the third sector. 

“The announcement today is a step in the right direction, but only after cuts of almost 21% over the last two years to student nurse intake numbers.”

ENDS

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Notes to editors

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the world’s largest professional organisation and trade union for nursing staff, with members in the NHS, independent and voluntary sectors. RCN Scotland promotes patient and nursing interests by campaigning on issues that affect our members, shaping national health policies, representing members on practice and employment issues and providing members with learning and development opportunities.  With around 39,000 members in Scotland, we are the voice of nursing.