NURSES are to have their footsteps followed in a bid to stamp out "inefficiences" that union leaders have said could heap unnecessary pressure on its members.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde staff are being issued with pedometers to track the distances they walk at work.

The board says the aim is to pinpoint time wasted by existing ward practices or layouts.

Nursing leaders fear it will increase the stress levels of staff with echoes of the time-and-motion studies normally linked with industrial production lines.

Nurses working in 23 wards in hospitals across the region began wearing pedometers eight weeks ago and a further 22 wards will be issued with them in September as part of a gradual roll-out.

Ellen Hudson, of the Royal College of Nursing, said if the scheme gave more time for patient care it should be considered. But she added: "We need assurances that it is being done in the best interests of patients and not as a way of putting further pressure on staff."

A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said the scheme would eventually extend to all hospital staff. She was unable to give a cost for the project.

Rory Farrelly, acute director of nursing, said: "By looking at our ward environment and how it affects the way we work, we will be able to identify simple and effective ways of reducing wasted time."

He added: "I believe that the scheme will help identify some great ideas to improve our wards which will allow our nurses to spend significantly more time with our patients."