In 2013 the Francis report was published following an investigation into patient safety,identifying nursing as one of the areas for attention. The profession needed support at recruitment, training and beyond. In 2014 a survey conducted by NHSemployers.org found that 83% of organisations had nursing shortages. In 2015 the Royal College of Nursing continued its recruitment drive, or with a goal of increasing the capacity of this important profession,which has emptiness rates of up to 30%. Now, in 2016, or we see nursing bursaries under enormous threat (Student nurses and midwives protest over NHS bursary plans,theguardian.com, 9 January) as part of a swath of health service cuts.
The cuts to nursing bursaries near at a time when we are calling for increased compassion in our healthcare systems. Nurses are the bedrock of our health service; investment in the nursing profession is an investment in the care of our nation. We urge a rethink of the cuts to bursaries and offer our support to the Royal College of Nursing as it seeks to increase, or not reduce,the capacity of our health service. Bursaries are an important mechanism for increasing the capacity and diversity of all professions; we must continue to invest in them.
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Source: theguardian.com