A nurses' conference will be told of staff shortages

Welsh nurses are suggesting changes that would allow newly-qualified staff to be allowed to work in the community to help fill the gaps in the service.

The theme of this year's RCN Congress at Harrogate is Speaking Up, and nurses from across the UK will get their chance to raise concerns and make suggestions relating to the future of nursing.

Nurses from Wales have put forward a resolution to support newly-qualified nurses working in the community.

Increasing demands

Most NHS Trusts currently require nurses to gain more hospital experience first.

But there are fears that the current workforce cannot meet the increasing demands.

One solution proposed is to allow recently-qualified nurses to take up the posts.

Members of the RCN will be asked to look at how current training could be changed and support networks improved.

The suggestion will be put to a vote as a first step in the process.

Significant investment

On Sunday it was revealed that nurses believed extra money injected into the NHS has failed to increase frontline staff.

A poll of more than 1,000 UK nurses was published as members of the RCN gathered in Harrogate.

Three-quarters of those interviewed for the survey thought that increasing the numbers of permanent nurses was essential.

But the majority of cancer care nurses said they had seen significant investment in their sector.

Fewer than half the nurses in Wales who were questioned said they thought investment in the NHS had increased over the last four years.

Of the Welsh staff questioned, 44% thought that investment in services had increased, but 38% said it had remained the same.

When asked how they felt about the running of the NHS - a clear majority said they were dissatisfied.