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Specialist nurses express redundancy fears

30/04/2008

Specialist nurses have expressed concern about the future of their jobs over fears they are being targeted to reduce costs.

A survey of 330 of the UK's specialist and experienced nurses by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) found that one in five is at risk of redundancy.

Nearly half (47 per cent) have been at risk of re-banding/downgrading and 45 per cent say they have worked outside of their specialist area to cover staff shortages.

Over a quarter (27 per cent) said cuts are being made in their workplace.

This is despite the NHS being on track to have a £1.8 billion surplus and a recent emphasis on the importance of specialist nurses.

Lord Ara Darzi's review of the NHS said specialist care should be at the heart of the NHS.

RCN general secretary Dr Peter Carter said it "beggars belief" that specialist nurses are being targeted "in a bid to cut costs".

"Specialist nurses are our gold plated resources who make a huge difference to the lives of their patients," he added.

"The loss of just one of these highly trained experts will have a disproportionate impact on patients.

Dr Carter continued: "These are the very nurses who will be at the centre of the government's plans to deliver care closer to home and yet these same nurses are being treated as soft targets.

"We should be looking at ways to recruit more specialist nurses and keep those already working in the profession. Targeting them for redundancy and under utilising their skills is sure to send them in the opposite direction."

Diabetes UK said it is concerned at the survey's findings as people with diabetes need specialist care.

"Diabetes specialist nurses are an integral part of the local diabetes service and play a fundamental role in providing education and support for general practice diabetes care teams," said Diabetes UK chief executive Douglas Smallwood.

"It would be appalling if people with diabetes lost access to their advice, support and skills.

"Decision-makers must look to invest in specialist care to deliver patient-centred care rather than to cut costs and jeopardise people's health."

In response to the concerns, health services minister Ann Keen said: "Nurses caring for people with conditions such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, strokes, diabetes, breast cancer and Parkinson's disease are vital to vulnerable groups of patients.

"The Department [of Health] is working closely with the charities associated with these conditions to develop guidance for the NHS to ensure they can commission effectively and make best use of the skills of specialist nurses.

"I meet regularly with the charities associated with these conditions and the Department is working with them closely."