I READ the article on page seven, outlining the plight of newly qualifying nurses, who were not going to be granted the promised jobs at the end of their three years' study.

They are instead to be put on a nurses 'bank' (presumably to be used as and when needed) denying them stability of a permanent placement, which must be vital to gain experience.

I was then startled to read on page 24, that Hereford Hospital Trust overspent by £197,000 in April alone, paying for agency nurse cover.

If it is the case that there is a shortage of nurses, which makes it necessary to spend so much on bank and agency cover, why are newly qualifying nurses not placed into these areas? Or more experienced staff moved into these positions, to be replaced by the new nurses?

A newly qualified nurse is paid around £17,000 per year. Do the trust not have managers that can do the maths?

I would be interested to see if anyone from the Trust might respond.

Name and Address supplied but omitted by permission.