Dundee University told closing Kirkcaldy nursing course would be a 'huge loss' for town
Trainee nurses may be unable to travel to Dundee if their Kirkcaldy-based course is scrapped, a Fife councillor has warned.
Recent Dundee University School of Nursing and Midwifery graduates.
- By Grant Smith, education reporter
- Published in the Courier : 17.02.12
- Published online : 17.02.12 @ 05.47pm
David Ross was reacting to the announcement by Dundee University that it is considering the future of its mental health nursing programme after a fall in student numbers. Options include doing all the training on one site.
The university has briefed Fife politicians on its review, with nursing school dean Professor Margaret Smith saying one possibility is moving staff and students to Dundee. She has given an assurance that academic posts will not be lost.
Mr Ross, the Labour councillor for Kirkcaldy, is concerned about the impact of a transfer.
''The Dundee University campus in Kirkcaldy has a proud history of delivering high-quality training programmes over many years,'' he said. ''It would be a huge loss to our town if the mental health programme is moved.
''Travelling to Dundee every day is simply not an option for many students who live locally, particularly those with young children.''
Mr Ross added that it was ''grossly unfair'' that people in Fife who wanted to learn new skills could be ''forced to bear the brunt of SNP cuts''.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon announced that the intake for nursing students for 2012-13 would be cut by 270 places.
Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Claire Baker said: ''The SNP Government has imposed a 10% cut in the number of students starting a nursing or midwifery degree next year and this comes on top of a 12% cut this year, meaning that total nursing and midwifery student intake numbers will be the lowest for 15 years.
''When you consider how long waiting lists are for mental health services, the SNP Government's decision to cut nurse training places is short-sighted at best. But what's most concerning for me is the impact that SNP cuts are having on the lives of local people right here in Fife.''
10.59pm - 17.02.2012 Eoin Ryan - Glenrothes, Scotlamd Report This
I hope this Labour Scare story is about as real as the Clare Baker/Tom Adams story of 3 weeks ago. They said the Scot Govt had effectively abandoned the Energy Park at Methil. And a week later Samsung announce a £100,000,000 investment. The Labour party in Fife have the morals if a hungry vulture!
07.05pm - 18.02.2012 Ron C. - Dundee, city of, Scotland UK Report This
Dundee Uni should be investing in Dundee, not Fife or Perth. Neithe has much time for Dundee, so that should work both ways? Let's keep all the facilities in the city and help unemployment and ease of access for Dundonians.
10.52pm - 20.02.2012 Jimbo - Invergowrie, Scotland Report This
I agree with Ron C, and also that all funding should be sourced from within Dundee as well. Not a penny should come from any part of general taxation or any form of government subsidy including student grants and university fees.
09.00am - 21.02.2012 JF - Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland Report This
what a selfish comment ron my wife passed this course and being scottish am very proud of her and all her classmates, nurses have to work all areas of the world, scotland to insure the health of others. dundonians already have a wealth of money and chances in life. Scotland needs money all over.
09.45am - 21.02.2012 JF - Glenrothes, Fife, scotland Report This
oh and btw for people that say no one has time for dundee. http://www.thecourier.co.uk/News/Dundee/article/13059/waterfront-project-is-judged-one-of-country-s-biggest-regeneration-efforts.html 925 million being pumped into dundee, when places can't even run NHS courses in local areas. Pathetic.
08.51pm - 21.02.2012 Ron C. - Dundee, city of, Scotland, UK Report This
Jumbo, thank you. You work in Dundee so fully understand the need to concentrate things in Dundee.
08.55pm - 21.02.2012 Ron C. - Dundee, city of , Scotland, UK Report This
JF, Dundee has wealth? Where? That is my point. Training opportunities for Dundonians, and a need for a true Dundee-centric policy. Is this selfish? Of course it is. And Fife would be arguing the same were the shoe on the other foot.
07.56am - 23.02.2012 Pat - Fife, Scotland Report This
If Dundee doesn't want to keep ths open then why don't they sell it to the Universityof Edinburgh and let it take this on? A good percentage of the population of south Fife work there anyway so there is a close connection already.
04.40pm - 26.02.2012 Sharon - Fife, Scotland Report This
Fife people pay their taxes to support universities just the same as Dundonians do and are entitled to access to study. I am a mature nursing student at Kirkcaldy and would never have been able to consider it if I had to travel to Dundee. Some of these comments are very short sighted.
12.25pm - 15.03.2012 Jemma - kirkcaldy, scotland Report This
I am a nursing student in fife. i think the attitude of the 'dundonians' and their money is disgusting. considering the NHS fund the course! me and fellows work hard to better our career and help others. would be financial, l and viewed better to abuse the benefit system! moving would be a disgrace.
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