Thousands of patients are dying needlessly each year because of nursing shortages, it has been revealed.
A study has shown that patients cared for by tired and overworked nurses are 26 per cent more likely to die than those looked after by staff with a lighter workload.
The shocking research comes as hospitals up and down the country continue to sack doctors, nurses and other staff in a desperate attempt to balance their books.
Yesterday, the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust in Surrey announced it is to shed up to 480 jobs and 170 beds in an attempt to save £24million. Around the country, some 20,000 jobs have already gone, including thousands of nursing posts.
With NHS debt spiralling to £1.3billion, some fear the final number of posts axed could reach 40,000 this year, with the total reaching 100,000 over two years.
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