A NURSING student has revealed how she is facing a five-hour round trip and spending £30 to £40 every time she travels to Colchester.
The University of Essex Southend campus set for closure is home to hundreds of students on nursing courses, providing a vital pipeline of nursing staff to local health services.
Following the announcement on Tuesday, the Royal College of Nursing has said the move could have “a devastating impact on the recruitment of nursing staff to provide health care services in future years” following cuts to nursing courses elsewhere.
One of those is Phoebe Duggan, a second year nursing student and student rep.
The 22-year-old says students have been offered a supportive payment of £600, but fears it will not go far enough to support her and other students.
She said: “By the time the campus closes I’ll be going into my final, most stressful year, and now I could be looking at a five-hour round trip to the Colchester campus, spending £30-40 per return trip.
“I’m lucky I drive, but it will still be difficult to fund travel costs - not to mention others who will have to take two trains and a bus.
“Even with the offer money towards travel costs, the current solutions aren’t really going to do anything, so we’re all trying to band together to think about car sharing and other options.”
Phoebe claimed moving to Colchester to study would not be an option, as she provides care for a family member, and that her peers are having thoughts of moving universities entirely.
“We need more support with travel costs, or the university must change how they deliver the classes, such as online lectures, only showing up to university for exams and such,” she added.
“Awful travel costs on top of high cost of living - it’s going to be an absolute nightmare, and either way we lose out through money or time.”
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Fellow student Ella Idrissi has launched a petition to appeal the closure of the campus so that those already enrolled can complete their courses in Southend, which is currently under review to check it meets petition standards.
The Royal College of Nursing have also stepped in to support students and staff, who they claim must receive adequate support following the announcement of the campus closure.
Sharon Crowle, RCN Eastern senior regional officer for Essex, said: “Both students and staff will be concerned about their futures, and it is vital that they are fully involved in the process from now on.
“The closure of the Southend campus, and the threat of redundancy and relocation that it poses, will place both significant financial and time pressures on members, with job losses and lengthy and expensive commutes.
“While students will be able to continue their studies in Colchester, we know many will be unable to relocate and study further from home due to the significantly lengthier travel times and the additional costs they will incur, which could lead to some choosing to abandon their studies.”
The RCN have pledged they will do everything they can to work with students and staff as this academic year continues, and hope the university will work with them to support everyone affected.
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