Labour: Draft in ex-nurses to deal with A&E crisis

Labour would draft in former nurses to help ease the burden on accident and emergency departments, Ed Miliband has said.

GPs could also be installed in hospitals to cool pressure on the straining service, the party's leader added.

Labour leader Ed Miliband. Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

As part of a five point plan to tackle the "crisis" in the NHS more nurses would be employed to staff the 111 helpline service to put an end to whatLabour described as the "computer says go to A&E" approach.

The party also wants the NHS to work with councils and charities to identify people at highest risk of hospital admission and offer them the support while walk-in centre closures would be halted.