University’s successful bid for 52 extra healthcare places

SUCCESSFUL: Faculty of Health students outside the University of Hull’s Allam Medical Building

The University of Hull has been successful in a bid to the Government for more than 50 additional healthcare places.

The Education Secretary announced in May plans to create an additional 5,000 ring-fenced places for nursing, midwifery and allied health courses to support the NHS.

The University of Hull submitted a bid for 52 new healthcare places for students, and has now announced it has been successful in its application.

A total of 26 new places have been created in adult nursing, with a further 10 in mental health nursing.

The remaining places will see increases of eight in midwifery, four in operating department practitioner and four in paramedic science courses.

Dr David Barrett, deputy dean in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Hull, said: “I am delighted to see the university’s bid for over 50 new healthcare places has been accepted by the Department for Education.

“In recent months, the university has seen increased numbers of applications for many of its healthcare courses.

“This comes at a time of considerable challenge and uncertainty, and we are delighted to see so many people with aspirations to support our NHS and healthcare sector into the future.

“Many of our staff and students have been supporting the NHS in response to Covid-19. Their tireless work has helped save lives and keep people safe.”

SUPPORT: Sharon Agyemang, a second year BSc Hons Adult Nursing student

A total of 5,611 places for healthcare courses have been allocated at universities in England to support the NHS, with 3,803 of these additional places going to nursing courses.

Bids for extra places were assessed on the quality of each provider, including their rates of continuation and graduate employment outcomes.

Earlier this year, student nurses, midwives, operating department practitioners and paramedics volunteered to extend their clinical placements, to take up temporary, paid roles to boost the NHS frontline.

Faculty of Health Sciences colleagues also stepped up to provide additional support and training to those students during their placement.

The university has also provided training to former NHS staff who returned to the frontline at the height of the pandemic.

The announcement of over 50 new allocated healthcare places comes as the university prepares to welcome students back to its campus in September.

The university, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, will adopt a blended learning approach to teaching, with some sessions taking place in a face-to-face format, and others online.