Paramedic students to receive new £10,000 annual bursary
Glasgow Caledonian University, which runs Scotland’s leading full-time undergraduate degree course in paramedic science, welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement to award students a £10,000 annual bursary.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf revealed today (July 1) that hundreds of paramedic students will benefit from the new scheme being introduced in September this year.
The University’s School of Health and Life Sciences Acting Dean Professor Anita Simmers said: “We are delighted that the education of our future paramedic workforce has been recognised in line with other non-medical professions.
“Our paramedics are leaders in emergency medicine and have been at the forefront throughout the pandemic. They are integral to our vision for a sustainable and innovative healthcare delivery.”
She also paid tribute to the tenacity of students who have been fighting for the same bursary as nursing students for months through their “incredibly positive” Pay Student Paramedics campaign.
Ninety-five students on the BSc Paramedic Science programme at Glasgow Caledonian University joined the COVID-19 NHS emergency response last April.
An estimated 668 students will be eligible for the Paramedic, Nursing and Midwifery Student Bursary (PNMSB) for courses starting this September. The number of eligible students is expected to rise to almost 900 next year.
Scottish-domiciled paramedic students who have already applied for undergraduate student funding do not need to re-apply. The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) will automatically reassign students to the new funding package.
Mr Yousaf said: "The introduction of this bursary for our paramedic students fulfils this Government's pledge to bolster support for this crucial service.
"Paramedics have been a driving force in maintaining NHS services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and I am determined to ensure we attract and support the next generation of these vital workers.
"Scottish student paramedics, studying in Scotland, will be able to apply for a bursary of £10,000 a year, compared with the £5,000 bursary announced last year by the UK Government in England. These Scottish paramedic students can also apply for other associated additional allowances.
“Scottish paramedic students studying in the rest of the UK will continue to receive the current undergraduate funding package of tuition fee loan, income-assessed living cost loans and bursary, as well as other additional grants they may be entitled to.
"Our allied health professionals are the third largest part of our NHS workforce and this announcement underlines our determination to remobilise the service as we emerge safely from the pandemic lockdown."
Pauline Howie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service, said: “This is fantastic news for current and prospective students across the country. They are an important part of our workforce and this announcement will be a real boost which will help encourage the paramedics of the future.
"Our staff do an amazing job each day and this additional financial support is welcome.
“Student paramedics have been in paid employment in a variety of roles during the pandemic and we are continuing to recruit additional staff across a variety of roles to help further improve services for patients.”