Hove MP calls Government '˜reckless' over nursing shortages

He pointed to the 367 nursing vacancies at the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust (BSUH), which runs the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

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And the MP added that the vacancy rate has risen to 11.8 per cent nationally, with 41,722 vacancies for nurses across the country.

In Parliament, Mr Kyle challenged the Health Secretary over the steps he is taking to reduce this number, following NHS reports of the rise in the vacancy rate.

He said: “The Tory Government cannot keep turning a blind eye to this unprecedented workforce shortage in our NHS, which is putting patients at risk and failing hardworking staff who are being pushed to their limits.

“Reckless and short-sighted decisions to scrap the nurses’ bursary and years of capped pay worsened the growing crisis and it’s painfully clear that Ministers have no plan.

“Our health service has never been busier, and as winter approaches, it is imperative that Ministers make sure that we have the staff we need to keep patients safe.”