Scottish Government risks raising the drawbridge to health professions

The changes announced this week will mean a significant number – potentially the majority – of dental students losing access to the universal £4,000 a year Dental Undergraduate Bursary scheme (DUBS). The new Dental Student Support Grant (DSSG) will be means tested. Applicants with two parents both earning just a little over the “real living wage” of £8.45 per hour would be ineligible for support under the new system.

The SNP has consistently criticised the UK Government’s abolition of bursaries for nurses and allied health professionals, and in its 2017 manifesto committed the party to policy outcomes to attract and retain talented young people to work in the NHS.  

The Scottish Government has stated its intentions to divert funds into a programme to support children from deprived schools to apply for dentistry. However, it is not clear if any progress has been made in implementing this scheme.

The BDA has previously joined with the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Midwives, UNISON and the National Union of Students to seek clarity on the UK Government’s position on a reformed NHS bursary for health professionals in England.