RCN: Cuts will harm older adults

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has claimed older adults are going to be affected by the government's cuts to nursing.

Dr Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of the RCN, stated NHS trusts could have to resort to more foreign nurses and agency staff and claimed the system is under "huge" strain.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, he said: "One of the areas that we commonly see cause for concern is with the care of older people."

Dr Carter explained that more than half of hospital patients are over 65 and this trend is going to continue in the coming years.

He argued it is not possible to justify a "commensurate decrease" in nursing staff when demand is rising.

Data released by the Department of Health earlier in the month indicated that GP referrals made this year show a 2.1 per cent increase compared to the same period last year on a year to date basis.

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