Student nurses demonstrating, London 2.12.15, photo Paula Mitchell

Student nurses demonstrating, London 2.12.15, photo Paula Mitchell   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Kate Youngs, student nurse, Leeds

The Tories’ scrapping of nursing training bursaries has already led to a 23% decline in university applications for this coming year for all nursing courses, a lot of these being mature students who often bring more life skills to the job.

As a student information officer for nursing union RCN, I approached the Leeds University Union executive. They repeated their “promises to lobby the government, university and MPs to not scrap the NHS bursaries.”

Though the scrapping has already happened, the student union has promised “to support all students in any campaigning around this issue.” It provided transport for 52 University of Leeds students to voice their concerns as part of the 4 March protest.

Join me and thousands of others in making our voices heard. Let’s ensure everyone is cared for in their time of need in a safe environment, where everyone can access the facilities we should all be entitled to, by healthcare staff who are well-trained and fully supported.

If we all fight together then anything is possible.