Amsterdam’s VUmc hospital has blamed a ‘serious shortage’ of nursing staff for its decision to stop admitting children to intensive care from Tuesday.

Parents and carers have been told that all new admissions have been suspended until September, AT5 reported.

The move reflects a long-term nationwide shortage of trained intensive care staff. The Capaciteitsorgaan, the organisation which advises the government on medical personnel, said hospitals had neglected the training of nurses specialised in children’s intensive care.

The AMC medical centre said it would try to relieve the problems of its neighbour. ‘There are eight intensive care units for children in the Netherlands and we work closely together,’ said Job van Woensel, head of children’s intensive care at the Emma Ziekenhuis.

‘We will do all we can to accommodate children at the AMC or elsewhere. The children’s safety is paramount.’