Swansea West MP, Geraint Davies, showed support for the NHS by signing Sarah Owen MP’s letter to the Health Secretary calling for the cancellation of student nurses debt.

Over the past few weeks there have been unifying scenes across the country as people clapped for the NHS or donated to charities that support health care workers.

The letter said: ” If this coronavirus pandemic has proved anything, it is just how much we owe to those in the health service who are there for us when we need them most. ”

Health Education England has announced that in response to the crisis 5,553 students from 35 universities had postponed their studies and signed up for paid placements on the NHS frontline.

Mr Davies said: “This is a testament to the sense of duty and public service that those who are part of our NHS feel towards the people they serve, especially during these unprecedented times.”

The commitment of NHS staff and of students joining the service early has won people’s admiration but has also raised questions over what support can be offered to health care professionals at this time.

The letter said: “We are calling on the government to support these new nurses by cancelling the student debt they have incurred throughout their studies.

“In future it would be a real sign of permanent change from the Government if we could see that every nurse left their training and education without any debt but right now, student nurses are risking their own health to help care for people during this crisis in really difficult circumstances, managing unprecedented demand and often without the correct protective equipment.”

Mr Davies said: “The NHS has demonstrated time and again why it is the pride of our country and the crisis brought about by Covid-19 has only reinforced the idea that the NHS needs to be properly supported.

“Part of that must be the support of those seeking to become healthcare professionals through scrapping student debt for student nurses. This would demonstrate that they are not just valued by the public, their friends and family but by their government as well.”