Ewan's Story

Ewan, 29, from Kensington and Bayswater wanted to train as a nurse to work in London's overstretched hospitals. Despite clear demand for healthcare workers across the capital, he found himself blocked by artificial limits on training places. This episode examines how HM Treasury's spending caps on Health Education England created a deliberate shortage of nursing training opportunities, even as wards remained understaffed. The capacity to train more nurses existed, willing candidates were ready, but Westminster chose to treat public investment as a cost rather than recognising it as the pathway to filling essential healthcare roles. Ewan's story reveals how Treasury decisions made in Whitehall directly impact both aspiring healthcare workers and the patients who need them. Disclosure: This podcast advocates for full employment and increased public investment in training.