Where will we be in three years’ time...?

Published: 15 July 2011

Cuts in student numbers will affect education as well as practice, says Student Adviser and acting Education Adviser Gill Robertson. 

What a busy time for the Education Forum, what with white papers, student support, pensions - not to mention the international RCN Education Conference which took place in Belfast and attracted around 250 delegates.

The RCN submitted a robust response to the education white paper, which you can read on the Education Forum webpages.

We also contributed significantly to the Future Forum listening exercise held at RCN HQ. Student support meetings continue and all the health care unions met with Anne Milton, Under Secretary of State for Health (Department of Health, England), to discuss matters further. We now anticipate an announcement before Parliament rises at end of July.

As I write this there is much in the news about pensions and we are keeping in close touch with the University and College Union (UCU) on this.

Keep education on the health care agenda

Frontline First continues to report on cuts in education as well as in practice and we are always keen to hear from you about what is happening in your area.

The Education Forum web pages are always being updated with news and views as soon as we get them so do keep in touch by emailing: gill.robertson@rcn.org.uk

I do recognise that cuts in student numbers and, accordingly, education staff are just as real and as vital as cuts in frontline staff - where will be in three years if this continues?

Colleagues, the RCN is determined to keep education at the forefront of the agenda and I will appreciate your help with this.

But for now, summer is here and if you are managing to get a break over these months- enjoy!

Email: gill.robertson@rcn.org.uk
Mobile: 07711808509
Office: 02076473765