'Ministers shouldn't be surprised undervalued nurses are turning backs on NHS'

15 February 2024 , 00:01

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Thousands of nurses have already left the NHS (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Pay up to save NHS

At a time when the NHS needs more frontline staff, even more nurses are turning their backs on the profession. Figures show that just 31,100 applied for nursing degrees this year – 15,000 fewer than in 2021 and almost 19,000 below the Government’s target of 50,000.

The drop of applications should be a cause for alarm when the health service is already creaking under the strain. To make matters worse, some 40,000 nurses quit last year.

This puts pressure on overworked colleagues and raises concerns about NHS England’s ability to deliver the care that people need and deserve. It is a crisis entirely of the Government’s own making.

It has put up barriers to studying by forcing nursing students to pay university fees, while poor pay and conditions deter applicants and drive away existing staff. Ministers should not be surprised nurses are seeking alternative careers when they have to turn to foodbanks to feed their families. The NHS will only thrive when its workforce is properly valued... and properly paid.

Gifts of life

Little Evie Green today marks a year in hospital waiting for a heart transplant. The four-year-old is one of 244 children in the UK on the list for an organ donation.

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

Since the Mirror’s Change the Law for Life campaign millions more people have joined the NHS Organ Donor Register. Although this has helped save hundreds of lives there is still a desperate need for matching organs for young children such as Evie.

This is why her parents are urging more families to discuss being a donor. The greatest gift you can give is the gift of life.

Dam useful

Beavers are being re-introduced to South Yorkshire in a bid to cut flooding. By felling trees to build their homes they create a natural barrier for flowing water. The river is dammed if they do and we’re damned if they don’t.

Voice of the Mirror