But the number of nurses has only risen by 9%.
Twice the normal number of nurses are required.
This can't happen without the right number of nurses to provide that vital support".
The other two have reduced the number of nurses they will supply, Ms. Dale said.
The very idea of such grades, of course, presumes that someone knows what the "right" number of nurses is.
Nursing posts are being shrunk despite the close links between the number of nurses available and patients' safety.
In the health service, the number of nurses has risen from 210,000 in 2001 to 274,000 in 2015.
The number of nurses able to independently prescribe medicines in England is increasing.
For instance, a record number of nurses from the EU are already quitting the NHS, it emerged last week.
The Tories counter that they increased the number of nurses in absolute terms by 6,900.
In line with national and international strategies in Europe, the number of nurses with a doctoral degree has increased.
