The proposed nursing degree that Aberystwyth University hopes to launch would be “vital for health care providers in mid and west Wales”, a university pro vice-chancellor has said.

Prof Neil Glasser, one of the university staff members working to get the university ready to offer nursing degrees, said that while work is still at an early stage, he was hopeful that the degree course could be up and running for September 2022. The proposal has already been welcomed by health chiefs who have said they are hopeful it could help with recruitment efforts with the NHS across Wales and the whole UK facing issues in staff recruitment.

But Prof Glasser said having a course based at Aberystwyth could also help the local economy in mid Wales.

He said: “The initiative to deliver a new undergraduate degree in adult pre-registration nursing is an important development for Aberystwyth University, and vital for health care providers in mid and west Wales and for the future of the economy of the region.

“The university is in the process of appointing an experienced healthcare professional to a post that will develop a proposal that will be presented to Health Education and Improvement Wales for the 30-plus training places expected to be available in the ‘North Hywel Dda’ area."

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