'How will my next MP fix a crisis in nursing?'

Emma Bird told the BBC her main concern ahead of the general election was the welfare of NHS nurses

Student nurse Emma Bird, from Colchester, says patients are being left at risk due to a "lack of resources".

The 28-year-old got in touch with the BBC via Your Voice, Your Vote to tell us that support for healthcare staff was the most important issue for her in the election.

"My patients aren’t getting the full, adequate care they need because we are overworked," Ms Bird said.

She told the BBC the lack of support the healthcare workforce received was "alarming".

"Student nurses are required to complete extensive clinical hours without receiving any pay," Ms Bird said.

"Instead, they often have to pay tuition fees - adding significant financial strain to the rigorous demands of their training."

Emma Bird says the patient-to-nurse ratio at the hospital she works in is "above and beyond what it should be"

Ms Bird added that the pay for nurses failed to recognise the skill, dedication and responsibility involved with the role.

Furthermore, many of her colleagues are leaving the profession, resulting in an "unsafe" patient-to-nurse ratio "above and beyond what it should be", Ms Bird added.

Martin Goss, Liberal Democrats

Martin Goss, the Lib Dem candidate for Colchester, said many nurses were "saddled" with student debt

Martin Goss said Ms Bird's concerns were "very close to my heart", when approached by the BBC.

The Lib Dem candidate for Colchester said he recently visited the University of Essex's medical school to hear concerns about the future of nursing.

He said many nurses studied for four years and remained "saddled with student debt" once qualified.

"Nurses are key to the success of NHS healthcare delivery," Mr Goss said.

"Staff shortages happen daily in every ward and every hospital, including Colchester.

"The Lib Dems have put the NHS at the heart of our manifesto and recognise the many issues Emma has outlined."

Dr Pamela Cox, Labour

Labour's candidate for Colchester, Dr Pamela Cox, says her party is committed to the publication of "regular, independent workforce planning" for the NHS

Dr Pamela Cox said the subject "really resonates" with her because her mother and sisters were all nurses.

She said Labour wanted to build an NHS "fit for the future" and that to do this it would have to end the "ongoing workforce crisis" across health and social care.

Nursing staff were a "vital part" of the workforce and the strain they were facing needed to change, Dr Cox added.

"We know that they have been working and caring for patients under extremely difficult circumstances for far too long," she said.

"We also need to ensure that we have enough people coming into the nursing profession and wanting to take up the training places."

Dr Cox said Labour was committed to the publication of "regular, independent workforce planning".

James Cracknell, Conservative

James Cracknell says pay offered to newly qualified nurses has been a deterrent for those looking to get into the profession

James Cracknell said he believed a perceived lack of support for the healthcare workforce was "alarming".

The two-time Olympic gold medallist told the BBC: "I am sorry to hear of Emma's situation and absolutely agree with what she has said."

The Conservative candidate agreed that many nurses become "saddled" with student debt.

"I'm a supporter of apprenticeships and nursing associates, where nurses do not pay for fees and get a salary whilst training," he said.

"The NHS can then train and keep their own staff rather than have a high turnover and rely on agency nurses."

Mr Cracknell said the pay gap between minimum wage and a newly qualified nurse was "too small".

He added that it would "deter" people from choosing the profession as a career.

Terence Longstaff, Reform UK

Terence Longstaff says Reform UK's policies would help to improve staff retention in the NHS

Terence Longstaff said Reform UK would, over a 10-year period, write-off student loan fees pro-rata for those who continued to work in the NHS.

He said it would support student nurses and encourage them to remain in the NHS.

The Reform candidate said the lower end of the nursing pay scales "aren't great" and added: "But they do increase with experience, qualifications and time."

He said his party's plan to increase the personal tax allowance to £20,000 would help newly qualified nurses to pay less tax.

"Without the need to pay off student debt, they would have more of their earnings to spend as they wish," Mr Longstaff added.

He said Reform UK would end training caps that restricted the quantity of nurse training places each year.

Sara Nicola Ruth, Green Party

Sara Nicola Ruth says she wants to see a "properly" funded NHS

Sara Nicola Ruth said the Greens were committed to funding the NHS "properly" and ending tuition fees.

Ms Ruth added that her party would increase nursing pay and push for an improved patient-to-staff ratio.

In its manifesto, the Green Party said it was committed to a "fully public, properly funded health and social care system".

Public health budgets would be boosted with an immediate annual increase of £1.5bn, it stated.

James Rolfe, Climate Party

Mr Rolfe did not respond to several approaches for comment when approached by the BBC.

The Climate Party has not published its manifesto online.

It has stated on its website that it would lead the UK to "economic revival and increased prosperity" if in power.

The party focuses on a commitment to net zero 2030 and aims to protect Britain's nature from pollution.

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