The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and Natfhe have sent a joint letter to health minister Baroness Jay saying the new arrangements in the Portsmouth area have serious implications for nurse education. They voice concern at not being consulted about the transitional arrangements and are urging the government to develop a framework for future contract changes.
Christine Hancock, general secretary of the RCN, said: "The internal market in nurse education and training provision is generating all the uncertainty that the internal market in the NHS did."
Paul Mackney, general secretary of Natfhe, added: "With the ending of the internal market in the NHS, it seems timelyto review the impact of competition in nurse education andtraining provision."