UEA criticised for cutting three NHS mental health courses
The UEA said the courses had been affected by external factors including; NHS England restructuring, decreased uptake of NHS commissions for talking therapy programmes and a reduction in employment opportunities within the NHS for apprenticeship roles. It said the CAPs course, which is entitled to level-seven apprenticeship funding, ceases across all sectors from January 2026.The mental health courses are open to NHS staff and current students already on the courses are said to have been informed of the cuts and will be supported by the university to complete their studies. However, the nearest university running these courses is in Essex. Staff have been informed and consultations with trade unions are under way. "Compulsory redundancies will always be a last resort," the university said.
'Turning its back'
The UEA announced last year it would be shedding 170 full-time equivalent posts as it tried to save £11m.It said it would be shaving 3% from its budget and could not rule out any compulsory redundancies.
The UCU said the decision to cut the courses "directly contradicts" the NHS's mission and commitment to expanding psychological services. A spokesperson said: "UCU has heard from senior NHS leaders that the East of England needs 150 new psychological well-being practitioners and 150 new CBT therapists in the next year alone."By closing these programmes, in the midst of a regional and national mental health crisis, UEA is turning its back on the region and abandoning its responsibility to train the mental health workers that our region desperately needs." It claimed the decision was down to the University Vice Chancellor's desire to "smooth over" "poor financial planning" and decision making. The union has called for the university to work with it to find a solution. The BBC has contacted NHS England for comment.
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