Concern over nursing job losses

Hundreds of nursing jobs could be lost

Proposals to cut 722 nursing jobs across Northern Ireland are deeply concerning, the Royal College of Nurses has said.

The posts are under threat as part of wider plans to cut almost 2,500 health service jobs over the next three years.

The director of the Royal College of Nursing, Mary Hinds, said more nurses, not fewer, were needed.

But Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said he has to make 3% efficiency savings over the next three years.

Ms Hinds said losing frontline service staff would mean that patients would suffer as a result.

"You can't get much more frontline than a nurse and we're gravely concerned about that impact on patient care," she said.

"Nurses want to give good care to patients and we are concerned that the loss of these posts will have a detrimental effect on care."

Since October last year, when all Executive departments were told to make efficiency savings of up to 3% over the next three years, health trusts have been working out how best they can save money.

It is proposed several hundred nursing jobs could go.

Mr McGimpsey said: "This is a matter for the Executive and the Executive is saying that, and it is a Treasury guideline, we must make 3% efficiencies over the next three years.

"For me, with the biggest department, that means that I have to find