Future health workers say they are committed to the NHS

Students set to start careers in the NHS say they are committed to the service despite the challenges it faces, BBC Politics East has been told.

The BBC has been focusing on the NHS, looking at the pressures the service is under and how it is coping.

In the East of England, the BBC talked to three people studying at the University of Suffolk in Ipswich.

They are studying physiotherapy and nursing.

Amy Prendergast, 19, from Southend, Essex, a second year physiotherapy student, said: "I have always had a desire to help people.

"I like to think I'd be able to help people gain their independence again, whether that's after a minor injury or if they have had something traumatic happen to them.

"Everyone is very hardworking when they go into the NHS because they know there is a lot of pressure and you can be put in some hard situations.

"I definitely think it is going to be hard work.

"No matter how many years of experience you have, you're always going to be put in tough situations, but when you are so passionate about some things you are always going to find a way around it.

"The NHS is a fantastic organisation."

Serenu Vite, 27, from Ipswich, Suffolk, a second year adult nursing student, told the BBC: "I like the principles on which the NHS was founded.

"Unexpected things can happen to anyone, anywhere and at any time.

"So it is good to have provision in place to accommodate people of all backgrounds.

"The NHS has its challenges. One of them is the growing ageing population and then we have the huge impact of Covid - which is still causing a backlog.

"The NHS has a lot of young professionals to deal with these challenges. It might take time but I think we can get there."

Phil Powell, 26, from Newmarket, Suffolk, a second year physiotherapy student, said: "I want to be part of this [the NHS] because I believe quality healthcare should be provided for everyone regardless of your circumstance.

"Regardless of anything you do in your life, you should be able to access quality health care.

"People are feeling a fair amount of pressure.

"It is a busy environment, but it is an extremely rewarding one in which everyone is working for the patient they have in front of them."

BBC Politics East will be broadcast on Sunday 25 January at 10:00 GMT on BBC One in the East of England, and will be available after broadcast on BBC iPlayer.

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