Fewer nurses being trained in West Midlands

The number of nurses being trained in the West Midlands will be slashed by almost a fifth - sparking fears over standards.

Health bosses have decided to cut 457 student nursing places at universities in the region, a drop of 17.5 per cent from September.

This is ahead of a planned reduction in professional staff, including nurses and doctors of around seven per cent by 2014.

Critics have condemned the plans claiming demands on the NHS are rising and a shortage of staff could lead to patients suffering poor care.

But the West Midlands Strategic Health Authority said the cuts were based on predictions by hospitals on what they need to meet demand. It also said more students were staying on in courses and the NHS was looking to be more efficient.