NURSING unions have welcomed today’s announcement of a package of new government measures which will open up thousands of positions for newly qualified nurses and midwives  in England.

The Department of Health & Social Care said that its “graduate guarantee” will allow trusts to start recruiting based on projected vacancies rather than current headcount.

It follows talks between the government, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the department says it hopes the measures will spread healthcare professionals across a wide variety of sectors.

There are up to three times as many nursing graduates as vacancies after record numbers decided to study nursing during the Covid pandemic.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “It is absurd that we are training thousands of nurses and midwives every year only to leave them without a job before their career has started.”

RCN general secretary Professor Nicola Ranger said the announcement should provide hope to students as they come towards the end of their education and training.

“The test of this will be if students can find jobs, vacant posts are filled and patients receive the care they deserve,” she said.

RCM chief executive Gill Walton said: “We’re pleased that the government has listened to the voices of student midwives who are desperate to start their career only to find those opportunities blocked.

“Ensuring we have the right midwifery staff in the right places at the right time with the right education and training has never been so crucial as services are striving to improve safety.”

Unison head of health Helga Pile said: “Guaranteeing jobs would recognise the commitment students put in before becoming part of the expanding workforce the NHS needs.

“Decisive action is needed to stop years of training going to waste. Nursing and midwifery graduates deserve a clear path into NHS jobs.

“But creating more vacancies for them by removing posts for support workers won’t address the overall staffing gaps hampering quality care.”