Royal College of Nursing brands reforms as 'stupid'

Nurses' leaders have branded parts of the government's plans to reform the profession as "stupid".

The Royal College of Nursing said ministers had missed an opportunity to improve patient care after the Stafford Hospital scandal public inquiry.

The strongest criticism was given to the plan to get trainee nurses to work for a year as healthcare assistants.

A survey by the union of more than 2,000 senior nurses also raised concerns about unsafe staffing levels.

A total of 71% said they were not confident that staffing levels were always adequate, with more than a third saying they were unsafe on a weekly basis.

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