Updated information from the Department of Health (England) for pre-registration programmes in Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions
The Department of Health (DH) has released an update to the Consultation Response on reforms to the funding arrangements (in England) available to support students studying Occupational Therapy and a range of other nursing and Allied Health Professions. The Government has previously announced that as a result of these changes, from 1 August 2017, new Occupational Therapy students will no longer receive NHS bursaries. Instead, they will have to apply for a student loan, like students studying other courses.
Back in June, following a request for members’ contributions, we submitted a formal response to the consultation. DH’s update confirms that following a review of the responses to the consultation in addition to a student loan, the following sources of financial support will be available:
The additional funding available from NHS Business Services Authority:
- A non-repayable grant of £1,000 per year for students with child dependants;
- Access to an exceptional support fund of up to £3,000 per year for those students facing severe hardship; and
- Support for excess travel and dual accommodation expenses incurred owing to attending practice placements.
And, transitional arrangements for 2017/18 for new students starting:
- Part-time courses
- Postgraduate courses leading to registration
There is no further detail on how practice placement arrangements will be managed at this point. However, the College is lobbying on behalf of its education partners to get clarification of this important element of the reforms from the Government as quickly as possible.
We continue to work with colleagues in other healthcare related professions to lobby and influence on behalf of the students and educators, to ensure the best outcome for the professions.