As health minister, Nicola Sturgeon oversaw number of training places for nurses and midwives being cut by more than a fifth

Nursing leaders have attacked Nicola Sturgeon for adding to the staffing problems affecting the NHS by presiding over cuts to student nurse places when she was health minister.

The first minister was told to take some responsibility for qualified nurse shortages on hospital wards. Ms Sturgeon was criticised following a damning report by Audit Scotland, the watchdog , which revealed that her government has cut spending and failed to meet key targets.

Ms Sturgeon served as health secretary under Alex Salmond for five years until she was moved to focus on the independence referendum in September 2012.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) pointed out that between 2009 and 2012 the number of training places for nurses and midwives was slashed by more than a