Student nurses get cash boost

Student nurses in Scotland will be given £500 extra

Scotland's student nurses are to receive at least £500 each under a plan unveiled by deputy health minister Malcolm Chisholm.

Mr Chisholm unveiled plans to invest a £10.8m package, over three years, in nurses' education.

The cash is part of the extra £86m of health spending announced last month by finance minister Angus MacKay.

It will provide an additional £499 each for students under 26 and £562 for students over 26, from September 1 this year.

Supporting student nurses is just one part of our action to bolster the service. We want the right number of nurses, in the right place and with the right skills.

Deputy health minister Malcolm Chisholm

The increased awards, which are for every year for three years, are given to students undertaking a course under the Scottish Nursing and Midwifery Bursary Scheme (SNMB).

Proportionate increases will also be made to the means-tested NHS bursary for nursing honours degree students and for students undertaking a higher education course leading to a degree in a subject such as physiotherapy.

Mr Chisholm said: "Nurses play a vital role in the NHS. They are the single largest professional group.

"With increasingly flexible ways of working, they perform more and more varied roles, as outlined in this year's nursing strategy.

Intensity and commitment

"We recognise that nursing courses are very intensive, covering 45 weeks a year, and involving extensive clinical placements.

"Today's investment in our student nurses reflects that level of intensity and commitment.

"Supporting student nurses is just one part of our action to bolster the service. We want the right number of nurses, in the right place and with the right skills."

The Scottish National Party deputy health spokeswoman Shona Robison welcomed the increase in student nurse bursaries.

The increase in the level of bursaries for student nurses is a step in the right direction and will bring Scotland into line with England and Wales.

SNP spokeswoman Shona Robison

However, she said much still remained to be done to attract students and retain people in the profession.

Ms Robison said: "The increase in the level of bursaries for student nurses is a step in the right direction and will bring Scotland into line with England and Wales.

"It will also hopefully reduce the student drop out rate - currently 25% - as financial problems are the main reason given for students who are considering leaving the profession.

"Much remains to be done, however, to attract people into the profession - latest figures for Scotland highlight a drop of 7% in the number of students in training, compared to an increase of 13% in the rest of the UK."