Damning report says removing number planning for nursing degrees has resulted in shortages
A review of the NHS nursing workforce by the National Audit Office has concluded that changes to the ways in which student nurses are recruited and funded is leading to a shortfall in the health service.
While there was a 5 per cent increase in the number of students beginning undergraduate nursing degrees between 2017 and 2019, the government is way off its target of a 25 per cent increase, according to the NAO. More than 43,500 nursing vacancies were reported in NHS trusts over the same period.