Plans to close Cardiff University nursing school paused as job cuts scaled back

Plans to cut hundreds of jobs and close degree courses at Cardiff University have been scaled back, with nursing expected to be saved.

Professor Wendy Larner, vice-chancellor of the university, has announced that dozens of staff are no longer at risk of redundancy following consultations with unions.

She said “alternative proposals” have been put forward, with the School of Nursing expected to be saved from closure and chemistry and maths staff removed “from the in-scope pool”.

The plans are part of a consultation and subject to future changes.

The university announced plans to make 400 staff – around 7% of the workforce – redundant and reduce a number of degree courses, including nursing, in January.

The number has now been reduced to 286, with a number of staff having already opted for voluntary redundancy.

In a letter to staff on Thursday, Prof Larner said an “alternative proposal” had been put forward, which would see the university retain adult, child and mental health nursing.

However, a smaller number of undergraduates will be recruited.

She said: “There is an alternative proposal for nursing that would see us retain adult, child and mental health nursing, albeit recruiting smaller numbers of undergraduates.

“The proposal focuses on improving the student experience and thus the progression through the degree programmes, ensuring that as many well-trained graduates join the NHS programme as possible at the end of their degree.”

Routes into the degree programme may also be broadened with a potential foundation year offered.

Whether the alternative proposal goes ahead requires the approval of the Welsh Government, the NHS and Health Education and Improvement Wales.

Prof Larner described the issue as “complex” but said “we are hopeful that we can arrive at a solution that safeguards nursing provision at Cardiff”.

Voluntary redundancy applications in the School of Healthcare Sciences have also been paused.

Prof Larner said 81 people have applied for voluntary redundancy to date.

“Alongside approved voluntary severance applications, we are on course to make 114 full-time equivalent (FTE) reductions,” she said.

“This means we are now proposing to reduce academic FTE numbers by 286, rather than 400 we started with at the beginning of the consultation.”

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) welcomed the announcement but warned more nurses were needed in the Welsh NHS.

Helen Whyley, executive director of RCN Wales, said: “Cardiff University’s decision to keep its nursing provision is absolutely the right thing to do.

“The RCN vehemently opposed the proposed closure, which would have had a devastating impact on nurse staffing levels, the education of future nurses, and the quality of patient care across Wales.

“However, we are disappointed to learn that many staff have taken voluntary redundancy and that the provision going forwards will be smaller.

“Ultimately, Cardiff University will be training fewer nurses at a time when we crucially need to be growing the workforce in Wales.”