Nurse training places cut

Reducing the number of student nurses and midwives is the “sensible way forward”, health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said.

The Scottish Government will fund 2,430 places for students who are beginning degree courses in 2012-13 – down from 2,700 last year.

Ms Sturgeon said yesterday there was a “record number” of student nurses already in courses. She added that having looked at the workforce plans of health boards “a reduction in intake for the 2012 academic year is a sensible way forward”.

The number of student nurses and midwives in training has reached an all-time high of 10,384.

Ms Sturgeon said: “The intake sets a balance between ensuring the right number of nurses and midwives for the future while also minimising the risk of oversupply and graduate unemployment.”

The reduction in training places is broadly in line with other parts of the UK, according to the Scottish Government.