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Midwives' body condemns plan to make students pay for training Midwives' body condemns plan to make students pay for training
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Proposals by universities to make nursing and midwifery students in England pay their own tuition fees have been condemned by the Royal College of Midwives.Proposals by universities to make nursing and midwifery students in England pay their own tuition fees have been condemned by the Royal College of Midwives.
Students training to be a midwife, nurse or allied health professional at university currently have their tuition fees paid in full, but proposals by the Council of Deans of Health and Universities UK would see them forced to take out student loans instead.Students training to be a midwife, nurse or allied health professional at university currently have their tuition fees paid in full, but proposals by the Council of Deans of Health and Universities UK would see them forced to take out student loans instead.
The two bodies complain that the funding for nursing and physiotherapy degrees is now lower than any other subject in higher education, and limit the number of places they can offer to how many Health Education England will pay for.The two bodies complain that the funding for nursing and physiotherapy degrees is now lower than any other subject in higher education, and limit the number of places they can offer to how many Health Education England will pay for.
But the RCM said the proposals would only exacerbate an existing shortage of recruits to the profession.But the RCM said the proposals would only exacerbate an existing shortage of recruits to the profession.
“These proposals to alter radically funding for student midwifes are more about the needs of universities rather than the NHS,” a spokeswoman said. “There is a shortage of 2,600 midwives in England and these plans could make that shortage worse not better. Future midwives could be burdened with debt and put off pursuing a career in midwifery.” “These proposals to alter radically funding for student midwives are more about the needs of universities rather than the NHS,” a spokeswoman said. “There is a shortage of 2,600 midwives in England and these plans could make that shortage worse not better. Future midwives could be burdened with debt and put off pursuing a career in midwifery.”
“The RCM calls for adequate funding for students who are the future of midwifery. We also want proper and inclusive consultation on the funding regime for midwifery students.”“The RCM calls for adequate funding for students who are the future of midwifery. We also want proper and inclusive consultation on the funding regime for midwifery students.”
Medicine, pharmacy and dentistry students are already subject to the student loan system. If trainee nurses and midwives were too, the universities argue that they could increase the number of places. “Because of the lag time in educating future health professionals, if the NHS’s predictions on the numbers are wrong, there is little resilience in the system,” they say.Medicine, pharmacy and dentistry students are already subject to the student loan system. If trainee nurses and midwives were too, the universities argue that they could increase the number of places. “Because of the lag time in educating future health professionals, if the NHS’s predictions on the numbers are wrong, there is little resilience in the system,” they say.
Like the RCM, the Royal College of Nurses also expressed reservations about the proposals. The union’s director of nursing, Tom Sandford, said: “Any proposals for a new approach to funding training must be approached very carefully to avoid restricting nursing numbers in the future.Like the RCM, the Royal College of Nurses also expressed reservations about the proposals. The union’s director of nursing, Tom Sandford, said: “Any proposals for a new approach to funding training must be approached very carefully to avoid restricting nursing numbers in the future.
“Financial hardship is the top reason nursing students drop out, and the full-time demands of the course make it very difficult for nursing students to earn extra money while they are training. Any change to this system would have to be very carefully implemented to ensure that financial constraints, or the prospect of large debts combined with a low starting salary, do not prevent any nurse from completing their education.“Financial hardship is the top reason nursing students drop out, and the full-time demands of the course make it very difficult for nursing students to earn extra money while they are training. Any change to this system would have to be very carefully implemented to ensure that financial constraints, or the prospect of large debts combined with a low starting salary, do not prevent any nurse from completing their education.
“Many nursing students have already been to university and received a student loan. As it is not possible to receive two student loans, these students would be prevented from embarking on nurse training. Any proposed changes must address this.“Many nursing students have already been to university and received a student loan. As it is not possible to receive two student loans, these students would be prevented from embarking on nurse training. Any proposed changes must address this.
Related: Nursing and midwiferyRelated: Nursing and midwifery
“Workforce planning is an ongoing problem for the health service, and funding enough training places is a constant challenge. It is right to look at ways to improve the funding of nurse education, but the top priority of the system must be to ensure that nursing continues to attract and nurture the very best students regardless of their age, background or circumstances.”“Workforce planning is an ongoing problem for the health service, and funding enough training places is a constant challenge. It is right to look at ways to improve the funding of nurse education, but the top priority of the system must be to ensure that nursing continues to attract and nurture the very best students regardless of their age, background or circumstances.”
The Council of Deans of Health and Universities UK have also suggested that students could have part of their loan repaid after a given period of service to help attract students into the professions.The Council of Deans of Health and Universities UK have also suggested that students could have part of their loan repaid after a given period of service to help attract students into the professions.
The Treasury and Department of Health said they could not comment on matters related to next month’s comprehensive spending review.The Treasury and Department of Health said they could not comment on matters related to next month’s comprehensive spending review.