 The number of training places for nurses will fall |
The number of places for student nurses in Scotland looks set to be cut by more than 10% next year, it has emerged. Figures released by the Scottish Executive suggested that the figure would fall from 3,955 to 3,500.
The Royal College of Nursing said the drop - which comes with the vacancy rate at its highest level for five years - would affect patient care.
But ministers said the number of nurses in training would stay the same as some places were not filled last year.
Health Minister Andy Kerr said: "This is not a cut in student nurse recruiting.
 |  We are on track to meet and surpass our target to bring 12,000 nurses and midwives into the NHS in Scotland by 2007 |
"These recommendations reflect the actual numbers that higher education institutions have been able to recruit to in recent years.
"The figure of 3,500 for 2005/06 is in line with actual student recruitment in recent years."
He said the figure had been reached after a detailed planning process involving employers, higher education institutions, trades unions and staff organisations.
He said that the number of nurses and students in training were both at an all-time high.
"We are on track to meet and surpass our target to bring 12,000 nurses and midwives into the NHS in Scotland by 2007," he added.
Patient care
"We are not going to abandon a logical planning process just because one organisation doesn't like the outcome."
However, James Kennedy, director of the Royal College of Nursing Scotland, said: "The growth in the nursing workforce is simply not high enough to ensure high levels of patient care are maintained.
"We currently have the highest vacancy rate for five years and yet still the executive decides to cut the number of student nurses.
"Despite the fact the nurses all over Scotland are saying that understaffing is affecting patient safety, the executive looks set to cut the number of student nurses against the advice of the RCN.
"This will undoubtedly have an impact on patient care."
Scottish National Party health spokeswoman Shona Robison said: "It beggars belief that the executive is cutting the number of student nurses when we currently have the highest vacancy rate for five years in Scotland.
"We should be training more nurses not less."
She said understaffing affected morale and put patient care and safety at risk.
"That's why this bizarre decision makes absolutely no sense at all on any level," she said.
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