Midwifery students still in limbo

Students enrolled in a midwifery course that was suspended over quality concerns have again been left in limbo after plans to resume teaching stalled. Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) was forced to put its three-year BSC degree on hold to new undergraduates last September, just weeks before the term was due to begin. This came after the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), which acts as a regulator, said students were not being properly supervised during training in hospitals.

Hopes that classes would be up and running again by April 2023 have now been dashed as the university says “challenges and delays” have prevented it from being re-approved. “The NMC has agreed to our request to postpone the re-approval process for our Midwifery degree programme,” said a spokesperson for the university. “Despite significant improvements and progress in the practice environment over the last six months, as provided in recent feedback by our current Midwifery students, there have been challenges in the timeline leading up to reapproval.

“It is clear from recent feedback that the University, through ongoing collaborative working with our partner NHS trusts, must further enhance our students’ experience.” CCCU now says it is aiming for a September 2023 restart. The NMC stepped in last September after receiving alarming feedback from existing students, who reported a lack of supervision - with trainees being left with patients for entire shifts. The regulator also discovered students did not feel supported enough to raise concerns. Dr Alexander Rhys, assistant director of professional practice at the NMC, said: “We know this will be unexpected and distressing for the students who expected to start their course with CCCU, however it’s important the university appropriately addresses the concerns and provides the high-quality education that students deserve.” Existing courses continue to be delivered.