The planned closure of a university campus in Shropshire has sparked concerns over the accessibility of nursing programmes and the disruption this could cause for student nurses in the area.
The University of Wolverhampton has unveiled its new ‘Estates Masterplan’ in which it sets out its intention to ‘relocate teaching activities’ out of its Telford campus and into Wolverhampton City and Walsall campuses by August 2026.
The Telford base is the only site in the county that currently offers degree and diploma level nursing courses.
Adrian Clarkson, of the Royal College of Nursing’s (RCN) Shropshire branch, said the college was concerned about the potential disruption the move would cause for nursing students, especially mature students and those with families.
‘It’s never good news to hear about nursing courses being closed and we hope the places will be relocated as opposed to being lost,’ he said.
‘Nursing and local health services cannot afford for the supply of newly-qualified nurses to shrink given the persistent staffing shortages and relentless demands.’
Mr Clarkson added: ‘Our concern is that students and prospective students from Telford and other parts of Shropshire will have to travel further to attend lectures even though we would expect their clinical placements to stay closer to home in local hospitals and other settings.
‘Nursing programmes have a comparatively high proportion of mature students and many of them have families so they value a course that’s accessible locally and means they can more easily balance their different commitments.
‘It would be a pity if anyone were to be discouraged from going into nursing because of the loss of this convenience.’
The news comes following controversial proposals from Cardiff University that seek to close its school of nursing amid financial challenges.
A petition has been launched alongside staged protests from staff and students in attempt to block the plans.
Telford and Wrekin Council has expressed its disappointment with the planned changes in Shropshire.
Councillor Shirley Reynolds said: ‘We’re disappointed with the University of Wolverhampton’s decision to relocate its campus away from Telford after being based in the town for a number of years.’
She said as a council, it was ‘determined to ensure that our residents have access to the best education and training opportunities’.
A University of Wolverhampton spokesperson said they would not be providing further comment at this time but that the university was ‘actively engaging with staff and students on the plans’.
