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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/views-from-the-nhs-frontline/2016/jun/20/grassroots-campaign-fighting-nhs-bursary-cuts
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| Our grassroots campaign is fighting NHS bursary cuts Our grassroots campaign is fighting NHS bursary cuts | |
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| Following George Osborne’s announcement that NHS bursaries would be axed in 2017, a grassroots campaign has been started by students. | Following George Osborne’s announcement that NHS bursaries would be axed in 2017, a grassroots campaign has been started by students. |
| Yet another successful demonstration as part of the Bursary or Bust campaign was held earlier this month in London, with high-profile speakers including fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and Green party leader Natalie Bennett, who recognise the catastrophic effects axing the bursary will have on the NHS’s future. | Yet another successful demonstration as part of the Bursary or Bust campaign was held earlier this month in London, with high-profile speakers including fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and Green party leader Natalie Bennett, who recognise the catastrophic effects axing the bursary will have on the NHS’s future. |
| Currently supporting more than 60,000 students every year, the bursary provides means-tested financial support to people studying courses such as nursing, midwifery and occupational therapy. | Currently supporting more than 60,000 students every year, the bursary provides means-tested financial support to people studying courses such as nursing, midwifery and occupational therapy. |
| Under the new system, the only financial support available will be loans. To put this into perspective, student nurses, who work for 50% of their degree, will pay up to £9,000 per year to train, and graduate with upwards of £60,000 debt and starting salaries of just over £21,000. | Under the new system, the only financial support available will be loans. To put this into perspective, student nurses, who work for 50% of their degree, will pay up to £9,000 per year to train, and graduate with upwards of £60,000 debt and starting salaries of just over £21,000. |
| Last month, politicians gathered in the House of Commons to discuss the issue of NHS student bursaries in a debate called by the shadow health secretary, Heidi Alexander. Based on a cross-party motion signed by hundreds of MPs, the debate was a chance for the government to listen to evidence from experts and key stakeholders, and consider viable options for future student funding. One suggestion was that students be paid a living wage while on placements in recognition of the work they do. However, the Conservatives voted down the motion to drop the bursary cuts. | Last month, politicians gathered in the House of Commons to discuss the issue of NHS student bursaries in a debate called by the shadow health secretary, Heidi Alexander. Based on a cross-party motion signed by hundreds of MPs, the debate was a chance for the government to listen to evidence from experts and key stakeholders, and consider viable options for future student funding. One suggestion was that students be paid a living wage while on placements in recognition of the work they do. However, the Conservatives voted down the motion to drop the bursary cuts. |
| The plans may have sounded appealing to some, but the flaws in the proposed legislation are now apparent. Janet Davies, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), says the plans are not reflective of the realities of modern nurse training and that no evidence has been given for the government’s claim regarding increased nursing places. She warns the moves are likely to have the opposite effect. | The plans may have sounded appealing to some, but the flaws in the proposed legislation are now apparent. Janet Davies, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), says the plans are not reflective of the realities of modern nurse training and that no evidence has been given for the government’s claim regarding increased nursing places. She warns the moves are likely to have the opposite effect. |
| Dr Crystal Oldman, chief executive of The Queen’s Nursing Institute, has said that scrapping the bursary has already negatively impacted career decisions. Furthermore, at a recent conference for GPs in London, fears over the number of future practice nurses were raised, with many predicting the capital will be the hardest hit. | Dr Crystal Oldman, chief executive of The Queen’s Nursing Institute, has said that scrapping the bursary has already negatively impacted career decisions. Furthermore, at a recent conference for GPs in London, fears over the number of future practice nurses were raised, with many predicting the capital will be the hardest hit. |
| Looking at the bigger picture, the effects of worsening austerity cannot be ignored and, as we progress with our campaign, startling new evidence appears regularly. In a survey by the RCN, [pdf] 74% of nurses said the NHS pay freeze had made it more difficult to work in London and 66% had considered leaving due to housing costs. With more than 10,000 unfilled vacancies, equating to a 17% shortage last year, the future of nursing in London is not looking good, and it’s set to get worse. | Looking at the bigger picture, the effects of worsening austerity cannot be ignored and, as we progress with our campaign, startling new evidence appears regularly. In a survey by the RCN, [pdf] 74% of nurses said the NHS pay freeze had made it more difficult to work in London and 66% had considered leaving due to housing costs. With more than 10,000 unfilled vacancies, equating to a 17% shortage last year, the future of nursing in London is not looking good, and it’s set to get worse. |
| Unison and the National Union of Students commissioned an impact assessment [pdf] with London Economics that found the new plans were likely to cost the NHS more in the long run, rather than save money. They estimate annual losses of around 2,000 graduates resulting from the 71% increase in student costs, meaning the NHS will become even more reliant on agency and overseas recruitment to make up the shortfall. | Unison and the National Union of Students commissioned an impact assessment [pdf] with London Economics that found the new plans were likely to cost the NHS more in the long run, rather than save money. They estimate annual losses of around 2,000 graduates resulting from the 71% increase in student costs, meaning the NHS will become even more reliant on agency and overseas recruitment to make up the shortfall. |
| The report also predicts that universities will be £57m-£77m worse off in terms of student intake and may have to stop running courses, leading to greater shortages in some regions. The Treasury will be at a loss overall, as many mature students have previous degree debts. The likelihood is most will never be able to fully pay the loans back. | The report also predicts that universities will be £57m-£77m worse off in terms of student intake and may have to stop running courses, leading to greater shortages in some regions. The Treasury will be at a loss overall, as many mature students have previous degree debts. The likelihood is most will never be able to fully pay the loans back. |
| Key concerns surrounding patient safety also arise with the proposal of a nursing associate role, which would require on-the-job training using the resources already in short supply, such as mentors, placements and guidance from registered nurses. Again, these concerns have not been adequately addressed by the government and highlight the long-term dangers of the proposals. | Key concerns surrounding patient safety also arise with the proposal of a nursing associate role, which would require on-the-job training using the resources already in short supply, such as mentors, placements and guidance from registered nurses. Again, these concerns have not been adequately addressed by the government and highlight the long-term dangers of the proposals. |
| The campaign continues to grow and we must all keep the pressure up while the bursary plans are being consulted on. The consultation can be found here and is open to both individuals and organisations. | The campaign continues to grow and we must all keep the pressure up while the bursary plans are being consulted on. The consultation can be found here and is open to both individuals and organisations. |
| Join the Healthcare Professionals Network to read more pieces like this. And follow us on Twitter (@GdnHealthcare) to keep up with the latest healthcare news and views. | Join the Healthcare Professionals Network to read more pieces like this. And follow us on Twitter (@GdnHealthcare) to keep up with the latest healthcare news and views. |