Plans to cut 333 nurses are published

PLANS to cut more than 300 nurses and midwives in the Lothians have been officially published.

It confirms that nearly half of this year's health board job cuts will come from that area, despite promises that frontline staff would be protected.

And the Edinburgh-based Royal College of Nursing has today stated that the level of savings made across the country will probably have to be even higher.

The Evening News revealed last month how 700 jobs would go this year, with a further 1300 to follow in 2011, cutting staff to around 27,000.

Norman Provan, associate director of RCN Scotland, said: "There appears to be a gulf between rhetoric and reality when it comes to making savings in the NHS.

"During such difficult times health boards must listen to frontline staff in order to ensure cuts do not risk standards in patient care."

The Scotland-wide figures were unveiled on the RCN's new Frontline First website.