Anger in Wigan at contract row involving student nurses on Covid-19 front line

One young Wigan medical professional, who has been helping the borough’s response to the coronavirus, criticised Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh (WWL) NHS Foundation Trust for unclear communication.

The student nurse, who asked not to be named, said she was not told the six-month contract at WWL could be ended early if needed.

She began working in May but said her paid contract will now be over at the end of July.

She said the experience had confirmed her previous assumption that she does not want to work in an NHS hospital when she graduates.

The situation has also been strongly condemned by a Wigan councillor and the town’s MP Lisa Nandy has offered support to the students.

Health minister Matt Hancock told parliament last month that the authorities had not gone back on promises to the student nurses, but fact-checking organisations which have delved into the matter say the policy wording was extremely ambiguous, which is now creating considerable confusion.

Many student nurses appear to have been under the impression they would be paid for six months of clinical placements.

However, while there was certainly an offer to extend the usual placements from three to six months with remuneration involved, the length of time they would get wages for seems to have been left unclear.

Health Education England (HEE) has released a detailed statement setting out the organisation's position.

The Wigan student nurse said: “It’s completely confusing. The message from the student ambassadors at the Royal College of Nursing was it should have been clear the contracts could be terminated if not required, but we were not told that by WWL.

“Some students have turned down work until September and now they will have no paid employment with very few bank shifts available. They’ve just got no income now.

“I wouldn’t want to work with WWL when I graduate, I want to go into working in a care home. This has really made my mind up about that.”

There has also been a local political backlash over the treatment of student nurses.

Ms Nandy said: “The student nurses who risked their own health by serving on the frontline and protecting others are heroes.

“This is no way to treat the many thousands of people who stepped forward to keep us safe.”

Coun Lol Hunt, who represents Wigan Central ward in the Wigan Council chamber, said: “I’m absolutely disgusted.

“They were offered paid contracts until September to cope with the Covid Crisis, but are now told that from July 31 they must work for nothing.

“They have risked their lives to help others only to be stabbed in the back by this Government.

“Many student nurses have young children and were relying on this salary to pay student debt and feed their families.

“It is total hypocrisy, clapping our NHS staff one minute and treating them like dirt the next.”

Speaking in the House of Commons earlier this month, Mr Hancock said it was untrue to claim the student workforce was being made redundant and they will be able to complete their practice hours.

WWL said it was a matter for HEE..

HEE's chief nurse, Professor Mark Radford, said: "We would like to thank all those students who were able to come forward to support the NHS at this challenging time. It has been hugely appreciated.

"To be clear it is absolutely untrue to suggest that student nurses and midwives are being made redundant, all student nurses and midwives are required to complete placements during their training.

"These placements are normally unpaid but to recognise the special circumstances and as part of the response to Covid-19 these hours have been paid and will be until the end of summer. NHS England has been provided with the funding for student salaries as part of the response to Covid.

"Year three students will be paid till July 31 and if they have completed hours and assessments can qualify and be paid as a full registered nurses. They will move from band four to band five and therefore increase their pay. Any year three student who has hours to complete will be paid until September to allow them to do this.

"Any year two students on placement till July 31 will be paid and after this normal non-paid placements will be re-introduced along with year one students. We committed at the outset of the pandemic to ensure that these students complete their training and are able to qualify.

"It was always made clear to students who opted into paid placements the arrangements would need to come to an end at an appropriate point so that students could return to their supernumerary status to complete their registered nursing qualifications as quickly as possible to permanently enter the NHS workforce .

"It was agreed by all partners, including the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and Council of Deans (CoD) and unions, to support these arrangements. This means any final year student who has been working in the NHS will receive funding until they complete their programme and then they will be able to register with the NMC and apply for a permanent role as a registered nurse."