Lord Hunt, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister, commenting on the publication of the Government’s consultation on student bursaries, said:

“The Government’s plan to scrap student bursaries for nurses, midwives and other allied health professionals represents a huge gamble with the future of the NHS workforce and with patient safety.

“The Tories decision to cut nurse training places during the last Parliament has already left hospital wards dangerously understaffed and patient care suffering as a result. However, this situation is only going to get worse if David Cameron goes ahead with his plans to scrap student bursaries and discourage the next generation of frontline staff.

“Ministers need to drop these proposals as soon as possible and stop the staffing crisis in the NHS from getting any worse.”