That is why when George Osborne used the 2015 Autumn statement to announce that the NHS student bursary would be cut it was not just an attack on those who may one day wish to train to become a nurse. It was an attack on our NHS.
Since the announcement UNISON students, branches and activists have been at the forefront of the campaign to save the NHS bursary. But the government intends to push ahead with public consultation on the implementation of the bursary cut.
This is not an issue just for our potential future nurses. It is an issue for anyone who believes the NHS should be properly funded with sufficient staffing levels to ensure a high standard of quality of care