University of East Anglia to cut NHS mental health courses

A union has said a university is "abandoning" the training that the region "desperately needs" following a decision to cut three mental health courses.

The University College Union (UCU) reacted after The University of East Anglia (UEA) confirmed it would be making cuts to three courses - the High Intensity Therapy programme, the Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner programme and the Clinical Associate in Psychology Masters Apprenticeship (CAPs) programme.

A proposed reduction of 10.9 full-time equivalent roles has also been announced.

A UEA spokesperson said delivering the courses was "no longer viable".

"Applications for the courses only come from those in appropriate NHS roles, they are not open to self-funded students," explained the spokesperson.

The UEA said the courses had been affected by external factors including; NHS England restructuring, decreased uptake of NHS commissions for talking therapy programmes and a reduction in employment opportunities within the NHS for apprenticeship roles.

It said the CAPs course, which is entitled to level-seven apprenticeship funding, ceases across all sectors from January 2026.

The mental health courses are open to NHS staff.

Current students have been told they will be supported by the university with completing their studies.

However, the nearest university running these courses is in Essex.

Staff have been informed and consultations with trade unions are under way.

"Compulsory redundancies will always be a last resort," the university said.

The UEA announced last year it would be shedding 170 full-time equivalent posts as it tried to save £11m.

It said it would be shaving 3% from its budget and could not rule out any compulsory redundancies.

The UCU said the decision to cut the courses "directly contradicts" the NHS's mission and commitment to expanding psychological services.

A spokesperson said: "UCU has heard from senior NHS leaders that the East of England needs 150 new psychological wellbeing practitioners and 150 new CBT therapists in the next year alone.

"By closing these programmes, in the midst of a regional and national mental health crisis, UEA is turning its back on the region and abandoning its responsibility to train the mental health workers that our region desperately needs."

It claimed the decision was down to the university vice-chancellor's desire to "smooth over" poor financial planning and decision making.

An NHS spokesperson said: "The NHS is supporting more people with mental health issues than ever before, and we remain committed to developing our workforce through a range of routes.

"We are working closely with stakeholders to ensure continued access to vital specialist training."