Three out of four young Brits have considered a healthcare career, however, fears of poor working conditions could deter them, according to a recent survey.

Universities UK, which commissioned the study, has found a significant majority were discouraged from taking health-related courses due to low pay, poor work-life balance, and job-related stress.

The survey, undertaken by Censuswide in December, compiled the thoughts of 5,259 young individuals aged 16 to 26.

90 per cent cited perceptions of low pay as a barrier, with 82 per cent pointing to poor work/life balance, 79 per cent fearing job stress, and 75 per cent apprehensive about long working hours.

Professor Alistair Fitt, Universities UK's health policy lead and vice-chancellor of Oxford Brookes University said: "The good news from this survey is the strong interest among young people for rewarding healthcare careers.

"The challenge is how we make NHS careers attainable for many more potential students."

He warned, however, that without significant change, the future plans for the National Health Service could be in serious trouble.

He stressed the need for large changes in healthcare education and training to meet the Government's hiring goals.

In 2021, the Government revealed the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, aiming to employ an additional 300,000 healthcare workers.

But Universities UK warned last October that these recruitment goals would only be met with substantial changes to healthcare education and training.

Universities UK called for a national recruitment drive launched by the Government, in partnership with universities, colleges, schools, and the NHS, in order to maintain a steady stream of talent.

Dr Billy Palmer, senior fellow at the Nuffield Trust, said: "The survey is a reminder of how perceptions of poor working conditions in the NHS can throw our chances of achieving a sustainable, homegrown supply of clinical staff into jeopardy."

Despite past pandemic-inspired interest in healthcare careers, undergraduate applications for nursing courses have recently declined, even dropping below pre-pandemic levels.

Almost three quarters of young people admitted they would be more likely to choose a healthcare university course if they received greater financial support, like grants and loans while on their course , or payment for their clinical placements.

Professor Mark Radford, deputy chief nurse for England, said: "I am pleased to hear that so many young people are considering a career in healthcare and have a clear desire to make a difference to people’s lives, which is a core NHS value."

Universities UK is urging for increased maintenance support to cope with the rising cost of living, to alleviate financial pressures on healthcare students.

In response, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: "It is encouraging that three in four young people in the UK are considering a career in healthcare, and the first ever NHS long term workforce plan will help attract many more, with the number of applicants outstripping places on offer for nursing and midwifery courses."

In an effort to support the plan, the Government has pledged over £2.4 billion in funding to partner with universities and the NHS in training and retaining a competent health workforce.

This includes increasing medical school capacity to 15,000 and adult nurse training spots to 24,000, along with a minimum of £5,000 per year in training grants for eligible students.