Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 22
22
The policy change impacted on some students and regions more than others.
Conclusion
The policy change impacted on some students and regions more than others. For example, from 2016 to 2018, there was a 10% increase in the number of students accepted onto nursing degree courses for children’s nursing and for applicants from the North East. This is in contrast to large reductions in students accepted onto learning disability courses (-41%) and for applicants from the South East (-24%).57 The Department acknowledged there was a particular drop-off in the number of mature students (aged 21 and over) who represent a big source of nurses.58
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
5.1 The Government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 5.2 The department, NHSE&I and HEE wrote to the Committee on 11 November 2020 outlining implementation of the Committee’s recommendation. Some of the data requested will not be available until the UCAS has published the End of Cycle acceptance data in January 2021. The department will share these data when they become available.