The Royal College of Nursing has called on the chancellor to commit £3 billion over five years to modernising the NHS.

The RCN wants the money committed to funding the "Agenda for Change" programme to overhaul NHS pay and careers structures.

In a report supporting their submission, the RCN reveals that although progress in bringing new nurses into the NHS is welcome, retention of staff has become the critical issue facing the NHS.

Forum Response: Royal College of Nursing

Beverly Malone, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, told ePolitix.com: "To attract nurses and especially to keep them for the long term, the government needs to invest seriously in the workforce through a modernised pay and careers structure. The spending review is critical to delivering this investment over the next three years.

"Nurses want better career opportunities, the chance to take on new roles, support to develop their skills, and a fairer pay system. We all know that nurse shortages impact on patient care. Without enough nurses, the government's plans to modernise the NHS would be at serious risk."