The SNP Government has further increased its support for a post-pandemic recovery with the number of student nurses and midwives who enter its funded degree programmes increasing by 5.8% in 2021/22.
In total, this means a recommended intake of 4,449 nursing and midwifery students in the coming year, up 243 on last year.
In recognition of the pandemic’s significant impact, mental health nursing will see the largest percentage increase, to 740 places, up 13% on last year.
Over the course of the 2016-2021 Scottish Parliament, increases in staffing are as follows:
Mental health nursing, 76%
Midwifery, 66%
Learning disability nursing, 51%
Adult nursing, 41%.
Children and young people’s nursing, 29%
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“The ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to put a strain on our healthcare services. I therefore welcome the 9th successive increase in the number of student midwives and nurses. This shows the SNP Government is acutely aware of the important role played by our fantastic NHS workers in caring for Scotland’s people.
“Tuition is of course already free for Scottish-domiciled nursing and midwifery students, supported by a bursary of £10,000 per annum, the highest value nursing bursary anywhere in the UK.”
ENDS
