If NHS trusts have to go to charities with a begging bowl, a nurse applying for the post might feel they didn't have great job security

Josie Irwin, RCN

Liz Redfern, until recently regional director of nursing for south west England, said the government's failure to provide extra funding for the posts was "a real barrier" for trusts.

Ms Redfern, nursing director at Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust, told Nursing Times: "Money has been allocated by the government for its modernisation agenda, which could be used for nurse consultants, but there is nothing earmarked."

She said trusts had approached charities and established joint posts with some universities because they could not pay for the new positions.

Disappointment

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) said the revelations were a serious cause for concern.

The RCN's senior employment relations adviser Josie Irwin said: "This is very disappointing.

"I refuse to believe there aren't nurses to do these jobs but, if NHS trusts have to go to charities with a begging bowl, a nurse applying for the post might feel they didn't have great job security."

The job has a salary range from �27,460 to �42,010 and post-holders spend at least half their time working with patients.

They are also responsible for developing professional practice, being involved in research and evaluation and contributing to education, training and development.

A DoH spokesman said: "Of all nurse consultant posts approved up to and including August 2001, nearly 60% have been filled.

"There is always a time lag between approval and appointment because posts have to be established and advertised before the selection process can begin."