New figures show 2,300 nurses lost under David Cameron's reign

Labour's Andy Burnham said: 'The Government cannot continue haemorrhaging experienced staff without putting patient safety at risk'

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Hospitals have lost more than 2,300 nurses since David ­Cameron came to power, a new study reveals.

The shocking figure adds to fears that patients’ lives are at risk and come days before the report into the Mid-Staffordshire neglect scandal comes out.

A key factor in the deaths at Stafford Hospital was a nursing shortage, say Whitehall sources.

In August 2012, there were 166,604 nurses in vital jobs such as A&E units at hospitals – 2,306 fewer than in May 2010. The figures, obtained under freedom of information rules, are a blow to the PM’s claims that he would not axe key NHS staff.

Labour’s Shadow Health ­Secretary Andy Burnham hit out, saying: “The Government is letting the NHS struggle through winter, but it cannot continue haemorrhaging experienced staff without putting patient safety at risk.”

* Almost 60 per cent of ­nurses think their ward is “dangerously understaffed”, a Nursing Times poll reveals.