We are always happy to talk to the media and have spokespeople available to comment on many of the key issues within the further education sector.
If you would like to contact a spokesperson or if you have a more specific media enquiry, or photography request, please contact our Communications Manager.
Communications ManagerMichelle LouthT: 01452 563216E: michelle.louth@gloscol.ac.uk
Gloucestershire College, in partnership with the University of the West of England (UWE), Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Gloucestershire has developed an exciting and innovative Foundation Degree in Health Care Practice. The qualification enables students to proceed to the third year of the BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing programme delivered by the University of the West of England, leading to Nursing and Midwifery Council Registration.
The Foundation Degree, which will be delivered at the Nexus Centre in central Gloucester, has been developed in response to local Trust workforce needs, and the news that nursing will be a degree only profession from 2013. It offers an alternative entry route to students wishing to enter nursing who do not possess the entry criteria to meet the impending move to an all degree nursing profession.
The two year Foundation Degree requires the student to study a broad range of topics and specialist subjects, along with a strong focus on work based learning. Students who wish to continue with their studies can opt to join the second year of the Adult Nursing pathway, leading to registration as a nurse on completion of 18 months full-time study. Alternatively, they could opt to undertake the third year of a relevant degree programme at the University of the West of England.
Ros Brown, Head of School for Health, Care and Early Years at Gloucestershire College said “The newly introduced Foundation Degree in Health Care Practice offers a unique and innovative route for students to undertake nursing training who may not have otherwise considered degree level training. Gloucestershire College is leading the way as the first college to have introduced a programme which offers a seamless progression route onto a full degree with the University of the West of England. We have also added in key core modules on request from the Foundation Trust; for example the module on Management Skills Development which is designed to develop individual’s skills in managing others, in preparation for a role as a senior health care assistant”
Maggie Arnold, Nursing Director for Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said; “The collaborative working between the Nexus team and staff in the acute Trust has resulted in a new innovative and exciting opportunity for our Health Care Assistants which will enable them to work and study at the same time. The environment and support the Nexus team has to offer is really encouraging and it is anticipated that other professional groups will follow shortly.”
Trish Upton, UWE Project and Further Education Coordinator for Gloucestershire said; “The University of the West of England is delighted to be part of this exciting development and looks forward to working closely with the college both now and on future developments”
Speaking at the time of the announcement in November 2009, health minister Ann Keen said: “Nurses are the largest single profession within the health service, and are critical to the delivery of high quality health care. Degree-level education will provide new nurses with the decision-making skills they need to make high-level judgements in the transformed NHS. This is the right direction of travel if we are to fulfil our ambition to provide higher-quality care for all.”
For further information on Higher Education at Gloucestershire College please visit our HE pages at www.gloscol.ac.uk/highereducation.