Plans to close Cardiff University’s nursing department have been put on hold, as an “alternative plan” is considered.
An email to staff said the new proposal would mean teaching fewer undergraduates but adult, child and mental health nursing programmes would remain at the university.
In January, the university announced proposals to cut 400 staff across the institution and scrap some departments, including nursing.
Prof Stephen Riley, pro vice-chancellor at the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, said in the email: “This is good news for the public, patients and of course the future nursing workforce in Wales.”
It said that an “alternative credible plan” had been put forward as part of discussions with staff, students, unions, health bodies and the Welsh government.
“The alternative proposes that we will teach smaller undergraduate nursing cohorts than currently, with the degree programmes reshaped to significantly enhance the teaching and learning experience offered to our students,” the email said.
“We would continue to offer adult, child and mental health nursing programmes for students from Wales and beyond.”
The proposal to close the nursing school was met with protests by staff and students and concerns from unions and politicians that it could threaten the supply of nurses to the Welsh NHS.
Voluntary redundancy applications for the School of Healthcare Sciences would now be paused, the email said.
Dialogue with the NHS, Health Education and Improvement Wales and the Welsh government “on the proposal and its implications for the health workforce in Wales” would continue, Prof Riley said.
He added the alternative proposal would focus heavily on the student experience and support provided throughout the degree.
“This should result in a higher proportion of students successfully graduating and moving into the Welsh NHS,” he said.
“We will also seek to redevelop our postgraduate offering and maintain a research base for the profession in Wales.
“I recognise that this has been an extremely challenging couple of months for everyone. It has caused a huge amount of uncertainty and worry,” he added, saying he hoped the new solution would bring reassurance while negotiations take place with stakeholders and unions.
