Second year health students

[jasjas1973]

DD just been told her Occupational Therapy degree course (she is in her 2nd year) is to be changed to a 60% work (not OT related) 40% study instead.

She is still to apply for her full grant next year and must keep up her flat rent, even though is now at home and neither does she know where she will be sent or indeed if she will at all, as they aren't sure what she'll be doing, where and it may be optional but if she chooses to stay at Uni, they don't know how they can accommodate that!!!

This is into the next academic year NOT just until September which we would understand and be keen to help.

I know these are hard times but is it really wise to screw over the next generation of HCP's ? who are not about to qualify like a year 3 nursing student nor have they spent long periods on placement in a hospital.

@jasjas1973 - No it isn't at all. What is being suggested is spend 40% of your time on the academic side and 60% working (anywhere in the NHS as a support worker) and qualify etc as per normal, there is no mention of qualifying at a later date. As i said, if it were within an OT setting then fine but it isn't. Aside, many of her cohort work in the care sector, if they are now working within the NHS, the social care sector will lose this part time labour force too, though i expect many would say whats wrong with a 80 hour week ? Put em to work the xxxxing Snowflakes!!!

Sorry but you are wrong - perhaps you daughter is mis-interpreting what is being said to her. It absolutely IS voluntary and it is a 4 nation agreement so every course and health authority are in the UK are following the same guidance.

Additionally - the CMA (Competitions and Markets Authority) legislation makes it actually illegal for Universities to markedly change a students programme of study after they have started without consultation and agreement from 100% of the cohort. When a student enrols, the University has effectively entered into a contract with the student and the programme specification is what must be delivered. In short, the University can implement emergency standards, as can the AHP regulators, but they cannot make a student abide with them - hence it is a voluntary opt-in.

The problem with student OTs is that they are simply not needed during the crisis - I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but there are no placements for OTs as learners - that is the reality. Their own profession is telling them they cannot support them as OT students. But they can be supported as HCSWs as those are the skills that are needed.

If some of her cohort have other jobs, they will need to chose (as are student nurses who have jobs) as legally they can not work more than 48 hours a week on average over a17 week period.

Perhaps a better solution would be to ask students to work in a hospital or suspend training for those that cannot not, until this is over and then re start year 3 in Sept 2021?
This IS what is happening. And what you don't seem to be realising is that her placements have been suspended and if employed as a HCSW, her OT student-status is largely irrelevant. She will not be getting assessed as an OT student.

So she needs to take it or leave it really. You might find some helpful information here www.health-ni.gov.uk/articles/ahps-faqs

Note - the temporary register is for qualified AHPs returning during the crisis - not for students.

In summary: it IS optional. The university MUST make provision for her to catch up on what she misses so that she can complete her programme. She would be employed in a HCSW type role in line with the Health and Care Professions Council Standards - she would not be there as an OT student. She is in the same position as thousands of health care students in the UK as this is a national initiative.

It is clear that you are concerned about your DDs' studies, and rightly so, but you are not in full command of the facts.

@cantbreatheenough - I though that's what the OP was saying the uni were suggesting? That they work as a band 3 for the period missed they would otherwise be at uni/on placement, pay fees and graduate at the same time with missed sections of the course? Apologies if that's not what she meant, just how I interpreted it.

The OP may indeed be suggesting that but it is not accurate. She will not be able to complete the programme for her degree if she doesn't make up the missed theory and practice hours. The University has a legal obligation to ensure she has the opportunity to do this.

This is what I've been trying to get across @Doggybiccys, it's also why I keep suggesting a copy of the email.

OP I can't stress enough that it's a voluntary sign up.

We haven't been told anything about this for our AHP degree in the north west. All we know is that some students have placements and others do not.
However, if I had the option to work on a ward, be paid and pass my degree, then I would be happy with this. She is effectively getting paid for placements.

Its not really an option if the alternative isn't known nor can be accomodated... the link i posted to says "your uni will be in touch with you to discuss....."
These new plans involve all AHP not just OT's as no one can be given their placements within their chosen field, as you say the requirement is for nursing staff, so sure a nursing student will be pleased to be paid to work on a ward as he or she would do as part of their placement but maybe a radiographer student less so.

There is also the issue of PPE, ICU staff appear to getting what they need, but those away from the front line but still seeing patients with suspected CV are not, esp those who do not have the ability to keep any sort of social distancing, this is from the BMA and RCN.

As for operating within contract law - well, contracts and agreements have been ripped up across the board during the last few weeks.

DD is 2nd year OT at Cardiff , her uni has not decided what is happening yet on this, they are due to get advice next week.

Dd has had her advice, you can opt in or out, they do not have to do patient facing, can opt to do admin or phone work, she has to make decision Monday.
It does not impact on placement as dd has done hers this year and they seem to say back to normal September. 3rd year placement is from beginning of September.