NHS students overburdened by work and debt, union warns

Unison has published a report warning that two thirds of NHS students have been forced to take on extra work in order to supplement their income.

It claimed that the proportion of health students that have taken on extra jobs has risen from 61 per cent to 68 per cent in 10 years from 2006.

The union cited figures from a survey which showed that 64 per cent of students working extra hours believed it was affecting their ability to study, while 47 per cent had considered leaving their course due to financial hardship.

Furthermore, the survey suggested that 85 per cent of students were already in debt while they were studying to become health professionals. The findings also indicated that 17 per cent said they often took out payday loans, while a further 11 per cent claimed to have resorted to using food banks to feed themselves or their families.

Christina McAnea, Unison head of health, said: “This report shows many healthcare students are already suffering with debt and working excess hours just to keep their heads above water.

“That’s before they take on student loans to pay course fees,” she said. “Next year things will get much worse as the bursary disappears and they have no option but to take out loans.

“It’s time ministers came up with a financial plan that works for students – and they could start by listening to students attending their constituency surgeries today."

She added: “If the financial hardship being suffered by NHS students puts off those from ordinary backgrounds, then patients will be the losers.”