A CRISIS is taking shape in nursing, with up to 50,000 vacant posts in England and “huge numbers” of burnt-out staff thinking of quitting, MPs warned today.

The Commons public accounts committee (PAC) highlighted the widespread shortages of nurses and low morale among staff.

The MPs’ report coincides with the publication of research by the King’s Fund think tank and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Foundation warning of “damaging” working conditions for nurses and midwives.