New Deal For Student Nurses

EDM number 569 in 1999-00, proposed by Laura Moffatt on 29/03/2000.

That this House welcomes the successful nurse recruitment campaign, begun last year and which has already led to an increase of 4,500 nurses in the NHS; recognises however that, if the NHS is to become the world's greatest health service, up to 16,000 more nurses need to be urgently recruited by the NHS; notes that until 1989 student nurses were paid a salary which at today's prices would be ú10,000 per annum in acknowledgement that they also worked, often putting in a 38-hour week on the ward in addition to their time studying; further notes that after 1998 a confusing three tier system has developed whereby some student nurses are seconded by their NHS employer and continue to receive their salary but the majority either receive a Department of Health bursary of ú4,000 or a means-tested student loan; understands that whatever their income source or amount, student nurses still have to work, as well as learn, for a total of 4,600 hours over three years; is extremely concerned that up to 25 per cent. of student nurses drop out, many due to financial hardship, exacerbated by a sense of unfairness at an income that does not respect their commitment; and calls on the Government to review the current confused and inefficient system of income for student nurses with urgent consideration given to returning all student nurses to employee status in order to improve recruitment and retention rates, boost morale and promote fairness as well as equality of opportunity within the NHS.

This motion has been signed by a total of 75 MPs.