Cardiff University must withdraw its proposals to close its school of nursing ‘immediately’, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in Wales has warned in its official consultation response.
The college warned the proposed closure would pose ‘serious risks’ to nurse academics, nursing students, patients and the public.
The university’s proposals, first announced in January, would see the closure of several subjects, including nursing, as well as a reduction of 400 staff across the organisation.
A consultation on the closure plans is underway and open for 90 days, until the end of April.
Helen Whyley, executive director of RCN Wales, described the plan as ‘profoundly alarming’.
‘Either Cardiff University’s leadership is unaware of its proud legacy in nurse education and that its continued investment is crucial for the future of health care in Wales, or it considers this may be a price worth paying,’ she said.
Ms Whyley added that the university’s view that its nursing course is unsustainable is ‘baffling’, when it was ‘funded by the Welsh Government’.
She called on the university to ‘immediately withdraw’ the plans and to ensure that no compulsory redundancies are implemented.
‘We remain committed to working with Cardiff University, to secure the future of nurse education in Wales,’ she said.
Cardiff has been delivering nurse training since 1972 and is the only Russell Group university in the country, ranking as number one in Wales and fifth in the UK.
A Cardiff University spokesperson said the views of RCN Wales and its members were being ‘considered’ as part of the ongoing consultation process.
They added that there would be no ‘immediate impact’ on nursing students in the short term and that the university was ‘committed’ to delivering nursing programmes to students starting in 2025.
‘We are acutely aware of our role in delivering the next generation of healthcare professionals for Wales and beyond and are committed to working actively with the RCN and other key stakeholders on our proposals,’ they added.
