A SHOCK new report claims hospitals in South Bucks are suffering one of the worst staff shortages in the south of England, prompting fears that patients are being put at risk.

The survey, by health workers union Unison, says South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust -- which runs Wycombe and Amersham Hospitals -- is short of 100 staff, including 61 nurses.

Caroline Villiers, regional officer for Unison, said the nurses were needed to get the trust's service up to full strength. She added: "Staff are on their knees. Corners are inevitably cut and this could be dangerous for patients.

"Because there are not enough staff, agency staff are brought in, but that can be extremely unsettling for patients, who like to see the same faces.

"Nurses cannot be expected to work in conditions which are unsafe, but that is increasingly what they are having to do. We are approaching breaking point."

But David Tippins, director of services at Wycombe and Amersham hospitals, refuted the figures. He admitted there were more than 100 vacancies, but denied more than 60 were for qualified nurses. He said trained and untrained staff were needed in its clinical services, pathology and radiology departments.

Unison says only five of the 37 trusts surveyed in the south have higher staff shortages than South Bucks. Oxford's Radcliffe Hospital tops the list with 150 vacancies.

Martin Leaver, spokesman for the trust, said he had not seen the report but added: "We absolutely refute that there is anything unsafe or dangerous going on. The fact is that we are still delivering a service -- that we are still meeting the national and local guidelines and requirements.

"It is a bit unrealistic of Unison to suggest that we shouldn't be using agency staff. If you don't use agency staff, patients don't get the treatment that they deserve."

Mr Tippins added: "We always expect a number of vacancies. In the last two or three months we've recruited a number of staff."

Mr Tippins said he hoped this week's above-inflation pay awards for nurses would attract more people into the profession.

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