U.K. May Draft Cops To Deal With Nursing Shortage

Don't laugh. This could be us in a few years

Police could be drafted in to alleviate a nursing shortage at a chronically understaffed hospital under plans to be discussed by NHS chiefs.

The proposal has been met with anger, with an MP claiming it would result in a "national scandal".

The suggestion, to be considered at the board meeting of NHS Grampian tomorrow, is one of a number of possibilities if the situation does not improve.

Despite announcing two months ago that 30 nursing posts had to be filled as soon as possible, nine positions at the hospital are yet to be taken.

The staff vacancies at the Royal Cornhill Hospital, in Aberdeen, have meant that under pressure staff are handling issues they are not trained to deal with, it is said.