NURSE Nichola Connolly sparked off a big debate with her heartfelt cry for a decent wage for nurses.

Her pleas at the Free Press Election Forum to see nurses receive the recognition they deserve through wages was stirring stuff.

She said for too long politicians had played on the fact that many nurses are prepared to work long hours for low pay because they see it as a vocation.

Mrs Connolly is returning to the profession, despite getting paid a fraction of what she merits, because of her willingness to help patients.

But enough is enough; nurses deserve better.

For too long, politicians have debated the NHS, skirting round the issues, vying with each other to come up with the latest gimmicks to attract nurses.

But none have really grasped the idea that paying nurses more might help retain staff or help with recruitment.

A doctor spoke about the low morale of medical staff and his profession. Others spoke of their fears about having to wait or having to pay for treatment.

The NHS should be something to be proud of yet it seems to be crumbling.

But for too long, as with nurses pay, politicians have failed to come up with plans to solve the problems.

While people carry on waiting more than 12 hours in Wycombe Hospital to see a doctor, politicians argue among themselves about how many nurses have been recruited.

While patients wait 18 months for surgery, politicians argue about statistics concerning waiting lists.

Let's hope, whoever is voted in at the General Election, solutions for the NHS are sought and found.

Mrs Connolly has spoken out at the pressing need for nurses to receive a decent wage. She should not be let down.