As a student nurse, I have seen the financial struggles of the NHS and its staff shortages first hand. So I understand why it needs more money if it is to continue being the high standard service it always has been.
What I don’t understand is why this extra money has to come from the pockets of student healthcare professionals. Healthcare students already work 37.5 hours a week on 8-12 week placements without pay, working as hard and often doing the same jobs as others who do get paid. They do so with minimal complaints – and continue to do so for years – because the main reason they are there is to care for others, rather than for the money.
But making healthcare students pay to work – as Osborne’s move effectively does – is just taking advantage.
