This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Removing bursaries a ‘crushing blow’ to future nurses, RCN warns
The decision was announced by Chancellor George Osborne in the Spending Review, who announced that bursaries would be scrapped and replaced with loans that student nurses would then repay once they were earning.
Osborne noted that half of all applicants are currently turned away and said that by moving to a loan system, it would remove the cap on nursing places, resulting in 10,000 new training places this Parliament.
However, the RCN has criticised the move, saying that they were not consulted on these changes and fear it may turn prospective nurses away from the profession.
Davies said that the plans will ‘pile on more financial pressure to an already overstretched part of our health care workforce’ and claimed that the plans make ‘little financial sense’, as many will end up unable to fully pay back the loans.
She said: “Student nurses are not like other students. They spend half their time doing clinical work and because their academic year is so long they have little opportunity to earn money in their spare time. They also tend to be older, with families to support.
“There is already clear evidence that the government’s decision is having a negative impact on those who have been thinking about a career in nursing. Hundreds of current nursing students and those who were thinking about studying to be a nurse have contacted us to share their concerns, frustrations and dismay.
“What is certain is that that anything that makes people worse off or deters them from becoming nurses, would be a big loss to our society. The future of nursing must be protected.”
Latest News
16/02/2024 - 12:56
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has created a new alliance intended to clean dirty air and improve residents' health.
16/02/2024 - 10:44
Two million more GP appointments a month are being delivered for patients compared to the same month before the pandemic as part of the NHS primary care access recovery plan according to new NHS data.
15/02/2024 - 10:26
The Welsh Government has provided innovation funding of £380,000 to support two projects utilising technology in domiciliary care.
15/02/2024 - 10:13
The new Scottish health secretary has met with frontline staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
14/02/2024 - 10:27
The North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) has appointed three new Executive Directors to the Trust Board.
Product Features
UK Building Regulations highlight toxic gas and smoke from layers of paint built up over multiple redecorations as a major cause of permanent ill health or death in a building fire.
Their concern rose with discovery the flame retardant paints most widely used paint along escape routes have been ones which to this day counter-productively use emission of heavy toxic gas to smother flames which rapidly spread along walls if layers of paint delaminate in a fire.
Supplier Profiles
Northwich’s Victoria Infirmary (VIN) Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has enabled more patients
Adveco, the commercial hot water specialist, announces the launch of live metering of domestic ho
Latest Features
Sarah Greenslade, public affairs and communications officer at the British Parking Association looks at some of the problems and innovations in healthcare parking
It’s easy to assume that the comms team is there to handle press enquiries and the occasional social media storm – but the reality is that strategic communications can make a measurable impact across the entire organisation, from operational to financial, when done properly
