This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/8647170.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 21 Version 22
Why cuts are the hot topic for nurses Why cuts are the hot topic for nurses
(41 minutes later)
The politicians may have descended on the nurses conference this week, but it is what they have not said rather than what they have that's perhaps most telling.The politicians may have descended on the nurses conference this week, but it is what they have not said rather than what they have that's perhaps most telling.
Gordon Brown praised the profession to the hilt, hailing them as "the guardian's of the British people's most treasured institution".Gordon Brown praised the profession to the hilt, hailing them as "the guardian's of the British people's most treasured institution".
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg and shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley had warm words too.Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg and shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley had warm words too.
They all received with applause, but that did not disguise the fact that the overwhelming number of delegates at Royal College of Nursing conference really wanted to know about the one thing the MPs were reluctant to talk about - cuts.They all received with applause, but that did not disguise the fact that the overwhelming number of delegates at Royal College of Nursing conference really wanted to know about the one thing the MPs were reluctant to talk about - cuts.
While all three main parties have promised to protect front-line service - with the Tories going as far as saying they will increase the NHS budget - nurses believe the health service is set for a period of austerity.While all three main parties have promised to protect front-line service - with the Tories going as far as saying they will increase the NHS budget - nurses believe the health service is set for a period of austerity.
Belt-tighteningBelt-tightening
The tone was set before the start of the Bournemouth conference when union general secretary Peter Carter warned thousands of job losses were on the way.The tone was set before the start of the Bournemouth conference when union general secretary Peter Carter warned thousands of job losses were on the way.
He said this was because the NHS was still embarking on a major efficiency drive.He said this was because the NHS was still embarking on a major efficiency drive.
Hospital wards are being left short of staff. It is not good for patients and is demoralising for staff Nurse Janet Wilkinson class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8646739.stm">Nurses reflect on party policies Hospital wards are being left short of staff. It is not good for patients and is demoralising for staff Nurse Janet Wilkinson
Bosses have ordered trusts to save up to £20bn by 2014 to help the health service keep pace with demands from the ageing population, rising cost of drugs and the growing toll of obesity.Bosses have ordered trusts to save up to £20bn by 2014 to help the health service keep pace with demands from the ageing population, rising cost of drugs and the growing toll of obesity.
While that only amounts to a fairly modest-sounding 5% of the budget a year, it has to be seen in the context of an organisation that has been getting less productive year-on-year over the past decade.While that only amounts to a fairly modest-sounding 5% of the budget a year, it has to be seen in the context of an organisation that has been getting less productive year-on-year over the past decade.
Mr Brown was directly asked about cuts after his speech on Monday, but avoided giving any assurances.Mr Brown was directly asked about cuts after his speech on Monday, but avoided giving any assurances.
When asked by students what he could offer them, Mr Clegg talked on Tuesday about creating a fairer tax system rather than their job prospects.When asked by students what he could offer them, Mr Clegg talked on Tuesday about creating a fairer tax system rather than their job prospects.
He was followed on to the stage by Mr Lansley. He acknowledged it was a worrying time but assured the audience that the NHS could get by with "more efficiency".He was followed on to the stage by Mr Lansley. He acknowledged it was a worrying time but assured the audience that the NHS could get by with "more efficiency".
Instead it was left to nurses attending the four-day event to spell out what was happening on the front-line.Instead it was left to nurses attending the four-day event to spell out what was happening on the front-line.
Posts frozenPosts frozen
Lauren Cooper, a nurse student at Bournemouth University, said she was worried about the future.Lauren Cooper, a nurse student at Bournemouth University, said she was worried about the future.
She is coming to the end of her training and should be applying for jobs. But the problem is there are none available.She is coming to the end of her training and should be applying for jobs. But the problem is there are none available.
"All posts are frozen. It is a real worry. I have done all this training and just want to get started in my career, but it looks like I will have to wait and maybe do some agency work.""All posts are frozen. It is a real worry. I have done all this training and just want to get started in my career, but it looks like I will have to wait and maybe do some agency work."
Her friend and fellow Bournemouth student, Katie Bennett, agrees. "I know of one trust with six vacancies, but they are just not recruiting. It is not looking good."Her friend and fellow Bournemouth student, Katie Bennett, agrees. "I know of one trust with six vacancies, but they are just not recruiting. It is not looking good."
But it is not just students who are finding life hard.But it is not just students who are finding life hard.
Until recently Janet Wilkinson was working as a hospital nurse in the south of England.Until recently Janet Wilkinson was working as a hospital nurse in the south of England.
She was part of a discharge team which plays a central role in joining up care between hospital and the community - a key plank of Labour's reform of the health service.She was part of a discharge team which plays a central role in joining up care between hospital and the community - a key plank of Labour's reform of the health service.
But she was told by bosses she was under threat of redundancy as the team was being disbanded.But she was told by bosses she was under threat of redundancy as the team was being disbanded.
Fortunately for her she managed to find a new job as a community nurse. But the experience has had a profound effect on her.Fortunately for her she managed to find a new job as a community nurse. But the experience has had a profound effect on her.
"You do not expect this to happen in the NHS. Hospital wards are being left short of staff. It is not good for patients and is demoralising for staff.""You do not expect this to happen in the NHS. Hospital wards are being left short of staff. It is not good for patients and is demoralising for staff."
The question that many were left wondering was why the politicians were not being more honest.The question that many were left wondering was why the politicians were not being more honest.
Many suggested the close election race had made it impossible for MPs to spell out the brutal truth to voters.Many suggested the close election race had made it impossible for MPs to spell out the brutal truth to voters.
But the man at the top of the RCN was not so sure. In a briefing to journalists during the conference he suggested they were "in the dark" about what was going on.But the man at the top of the RCN was not so sure. In a briefing to journalists during the conference he suggested they were "in the dark" about what was going on.
After listening to the prime minister, Mr Carter made what in many ways was a startling claim.After listening to the prime minister, Mr Carter made what in many ways was a startling claim.
He said the parties were simply unaware of what was "happening on the ground".He said the parties were simply unaware of what was "happening on the ground".
Whatever the truth, nurses are preparing themselves for what could prove to be one of the hardest decades the NHS has ever seen.Whatever the truth, nurses are preparing themselves for what could prove to be one of the hardest decades the NHS has ever seen.