Anglia Ruskin is already a leading educator of nurses in the region, and this latest course will offer existing employees of The Priory Group, which has more than 450 sites and provides more than 7,000 beds across the country, the chance to upskill to qualify as mental health nurses.
While headlines have focused on staff shortages within the NHS, the independent sector has also suffered the same challenges and there is an increased demand for mental health services nationwide.
Two cohorts – one in Peterborough and one in Chelmsford – of 18 students in total will begin their courses next month (October).
Professor Ruth Taylor, Senior Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care, said: “The increasing demand for improved mental health services nationwide provides a tremendous opportunity for Anglia Ruskin to work with more employers to upskill the workforce and educate new mental health nurses.
“We are looking forward to working with The Priory Group, who are a large, established independent healthcare company. It will complement the long-standing links we have with NHS Trusts across the East of England. I am sure that this new initiative will have a positive impact on the workforce and on mental health services.”
Dr Sylvia Tang, Chief Executive Officer of Priory Healthcare, said; “Degree apprenticeships are a new but increasingly popular route into training in the healthcare sector and offer an important combination of study and hands on experience. We take training and recruitment very seriously and are delighted to be working with Anglia Ruskin University at the start of this pioneering programme in mental health nursing.
“I look forward to seeing how our first cohort of apprentices develop and progress on their training journey.”
Last year Anglia Ruskin University began one of the first Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship programme, working with several NHS Trusts in the East of England.