Cardiff University's nursing course may continue despite threat of major cuts
Cost-cutting measures were outlined by the university in January, which could see up to 400 academic jobs lost.
Thursday 10 April 2025 15:10, UK
The nursing course in Wales' capital could continue, despite the threat of major budget cuts at the city's university.
In January, Cardiff University outlined its proposals to save money, which could lead to the loss of up to 400 academic jobs.
Those plans included ending nursing provision at the university, as well as subjects such as music and ancient history.
But it was announced on Thursday that consideration of further redundancies at Cardiff University's School of Healthcare Sciences had been "paused", while an alternative proposal is considered.
More than 7,500 people had signed a petition calling for nursing provision to be retained at the university, with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) describing the plans as "profoundly alarming".
In a letter to nursing staff on Thursday, pro-vice chancellor at the college of biomedical and life sciences Professor Steve Riley, said the university had always maintained that "no final decisions had been taken" on the proposals.
While the alternative plan is "credible", Professor Riley said there were "more conversations to be had".
Under the proposal, the number of students studying nursing would be lower than it is now, with adult, child and mental health nursing programmes still on offer.
With an increased focus on the student experience and the support available, it is hoped there will be a "higher proportion of students successfully graduating and moving into the Welsh NHS".
Professor Riley said it was "good news for the public, patients and of course the future nursing workforce in Wales".
But he said that, while discussions were ongoing, all partners agreed that any proposal would need to "ensure a consistent supply of well-trained nurses for the NHS in Wales and beyond".
Professor Riley acknowledged that it had been an "extremely challenging couple of months" and that the detail around the proposal would be further developed before a consultation period.
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Helen Whyley, executive director of RCN Wales, told Sky News the union was "pleased to hear that Cardiff University believe they've found a way forward to keep the school of nursing open".
"We're yet to see the full detail as to what that looks like and we are concerned that there may be a reduction in the number of students going to Cardiff University and therefore in the size of the school," she added.
"Clearly, Cardiff University supplies student nurses to a number of Welsh health boards, so any reduction in the number of students graduating from Cardiff will have an impact into the NHS and other employers."
Nursing students who start their studies at Cardiff this September have been assured that they will continue to be taught until the conclusion of their degree in 2028.