By Q Radio News
The Health Minister's being urged to pay student nurses working during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the first wave they received a salary, but as hospital admissions surge again this pay hasn't yet been reinstated.
Green Party MLA Clare Bailey says these nurses are vital in relieving pressure on the already stretched health service:
''I am urging the minister to please reinstate their proper wages so that student nurses can continue to serve the public and the NHS,'' she said.
''Westminster has made funding available to help the Executive deal with financial crisis.
''We can't leave student nurses behind.''
However, the Department of Health says there's no plans to reinstate the payments in any part of the UK and that student nurses already receive generous financial support.
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