'Safety risk' if nurses are allowed to operate

A revolutionary plan to let nurses carry out operations in a bid to cut hospital waiting lists is being considered by ministers.

After two years of training they would carry out procedures ranging from hernia repairs to vasectomies. The move has provoked anger from the British Medical Association.

Under the plans, between 4,000 and 5,000 surgical care practitioners - nurses, physiotherapists and operating theatre assistants - would be appointed over the next decade. They would earn up to ?35,000 a year.

The Government is desperate to meet its pledge that by 2008 no patient waits more than 18 weeks for treatment. However, doctors are now accusing ministers of sacrificing patient safety.

The chairman of the BMA's consultant's committee, Paul Miller, said: "The NHS takes the best part of 15 to 20 years to train a surgeon ... We have considerable doubts about the adequacy of the training these practitioners are to be given."

An NHS Modernisation Agency spokeswoman said: "This is about ensuring that people who have got the potential and the skills are being used effectively."