Student nurses and midwives protest over bursary cuts

Student nurse and midwives took to the streets of London on 9 January in protest of government proposals to cut the NHS student bursary.

The plans were announced in Chancellor George Osborne’s Spending Review in November and will mean bursaries for nursing students and other healthcare undergraduates will be replaced with loans.

Osborne claims that the move will allow more nurses and midwives to be trained and offer more financial support, as the amount they can borrow in the form of a repayable loan will be greater than the bursary provided.

Under the current system, student nurses and midwives do not have to pay tuition fees and receive an annual bursary, which does not have to be paid back.The government argues that because only a finite amount can be spent by the NHS each year, this limits the number of training places that can be allocated to students.

It claims that scrapping bursaries and moving to a repayable loan system will allow more nurses to be trained and save approximately £800 million a year. However, the move has drawn criticism as it places more debt on to students, which the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) claims could put potential nurses off training.

Janet Davies, the RCN chief executive and general secretary, said: “RCN students have shown just how worried they are about this move and its potential effects. Student nurses and midwives are the profession’s future, and their voices and concerns must and should be listened to.

“Over our 100 year history, the RCN has a long track record in the education of nurses and the government should listen to our knowledge and expertise as it consults on these ill thought out plans. The future of nursing must be protected. Our patients deserve nothing less.”

Carmel Lloyd, the RCM’s head of education and learning, said: “These government plans are appalling and will undoubtedly deter many committed and talented people from considering a career in midwifery. The RCM is extremely disappointed that the government did not seek advice or consult with us prior to making this decision.

“This is a change that has huge implications for both our student midwife members and an already understaffed maternity service. Currently, we have a diverse body of students who come from all walks of life. Many are mature, not school leavers, who already have substantial caring and financial commitments. They will be particularly hit hard.”

Discussing the proposed funding changes, a Department of Health spokesperson said: "We need more home-grown nurses in the NHS because they do an amazing job caring for patients, but currently two-thirds of people who apply to become a nurse aren't accepted for training. Our plans mean up to 10,000 more training places by the end of this parliament, with student nurses getting around 25 per cent more financial support whilst they study."