Unprecedented times require unprecedented strategies

During these unprecedented times of political and economic uncertainty, organisations need to maintain a balance between continuing to focus on their main purpose, while being agile and flexible enough to absorb constant change at pace. The higher education sector is no different to this: universities must continue to shape their future on an agile model of business, while they continue to deliver a high-quality service to students and local partners. In this context, universities that deliver healthcare programmes must ensure they receive the right student applications, provide a high-quality educational experience that retains those students, and also maintain a focus on the research agenda.

Having evaluated the introduction and impact of the 2017 and 2018 student funding reforms in England, the position of the Council of Deans of Health is that changes to funding support for healthcare students are required to support recruitment and retention in England. These changes should include non-means-tested maintenance grants for students to support their living costs, and the introduction of tuition loan repayment schemes linked to service. Postgraduate pre-registration students should receive dedicated support for maintenance costs and tuition fees, and work is urgently needed to improve timely access to support for placement costs, childcare and hardship.