Commenting on the publication of the Augar review of Post-18 Education and Funding, Dr Jo Watson, Assistant Director of Education and Research at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists said:
“For many students university education is a substantial financial outlay and can leave them in debt, sometimes for decades, after they graduate and it’s good to see that many of the review’s recommendations recognise this. In particular we welcome proposals to lower student fee contributions, to reintroduce maintenance grants for the most socially disadvantaged, and to seek to reverse the sharp fall in part-time and mature students which have been traditional routes for people into occupational therapy.
“In responding to the proposals, the Government must ensure that the future of the health and social care workforce is safeguarded. Essential courses, such as occupational therapy which provide the future workforce for already stretched health and care services could be starved of funding. If student contributions are to be reduced, there must be clarity about how the shortfall will be met, not just to cover the cost of entry level programmes, but also to protect services, such as student welfare, within universities.”