► UCL School of Podiatry

03/04 Policy

Valid AULUC 2009

 

EMERGENCY MOTION: UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON SCHOOL OF PODIATRY

Proposed by: Alex Coles [Education and Welfare Officer, University College London Union]

Seconded by: Johann Malawana [ULU Medical Students' Officer Union], Amy Hansen [Medical Students' and Sites Officer, University College  London]

 

THIS UNION NOTES

 

1.          The London Foot Hospital and School of Podiatric Medicine was the first centre in this country to formally undertake teaching chiropody on a systematic basis. It was also the first school to receive the active support and co-operation of the medical profession.

2.          Up until the end of September 2003 the teaching of the BSc (Hons) Podiatry course was entirely funded by the NHS under an educational contract between the North East London Workforce Development Confederation (NELWDC) and University College London (UCL).

3.          Staff involved in teaching the three year BSc (Hons) Podiatry course were employed partly by Camden Primary Care Trust (CPCT) and partly by UCL.

4.          Following an education review conducted last year by NELWDC, it was decided that the tripartite nature of the education contract was no longer tenable. It was decided that staff would be moved to a single employer by Autumn 2004. This move was welcomed by UCL, which was then the preferred bidder for the contract.

5.          In April 2003 it was announced that UCL chose not to bid for the contract, citing an unrealistic benchmark figure (approximately £7000 per student).

6.          NELWDC undertook a tendering process and in July 2003 it was announced that the University of East London (UEL) won the tender. The contract was at a higher figure than the originally specified £7000 per student.

7.          In September 2003 the BSc (Hons) Podiatry course was be transferred to UEL.

8.          Lecturers in the UCL Podiatry Department have been may chose whether they transfer to UEL or resign their positions. They are not eligable for redundancy if they do not elect to become UEL staff members.

9.          The UCL Association of University Teachers (AUT) and UCL Union campaigned to overturn this decision.

10.        On Friday 26^th September staff from the Podiatry department had to decide whether to transfer from their employers (UCL and Camden Primary Care Trust) and accept new employment contracts at the University of East London or to end their employment.

11.        Six out of fourteen members of staff did not transfer and are no longer employees of either UCL/CPCT or UEL.

12.        These staff included the Head of Department, senior lecturers and lecturers (all employed by UCL), a senior teacher employed by Camden PCT, and one joint Camden/UCL employee. The majority of staff employed by UCL have refused to transfer.

13.        These staff were involved in research which makes up a substantial proportion of the 3^rd year.

14.        Clinical teaching is essential to gain professional accreditation.

15.        Clinics have been cancelled because of staff shortages. Students have already lost clinical teaching hours.

16.        CPCT has removed equipment required for the teaching of the course from the London Foot Hospital.

17.        On Friday 3^rd October two Podiatry students and the Medical Students' and Sites Officer met with the Provost, Malcolm Grant, to discuss the situation.

18.        In an Extraordinary General Meeting of UCL Union on Thursday 9^th September a motion to further campaign against the decision to transfer the Podiatry department was unanimously carried.

 

THIS UNION BELIEVES

 

1.          The staff who refused to transfer did so because they believe that they cannot be party to the destruction of the course and the undermining of their profession.

2.          UEL now has insufficient staff and resources to provide adequate teaching to current UCL BSc Podiatry students.

3.          UCL should step in to take responsibility for current Podiatry students and their course by re-employing the six staff who did not transfer to UEL, so that it can fulfil its obligations to its current students for at least the next three years.

4.          UCL should join staff students, their unions and professional bodies, in convincing the Department of Health that they have made a mistake and that they should step in and provide funding to a UCL Podiatry course.

5.          The new UCL Provost, Malcolm Grant, is not responsible for this debacle, but that he has the power to reinstate staff at UCL and to lobby the Department of Health for funding.

 

THIS UNION RESOLVES

 

1.          To mandate the Executive of ULU to assist UCL Union and students in their campaign to save the Podiatry BSc course, both at a regional and national level.

2.          To raise awareness amongst all University of London Colleges of the situation confronting UCL Podiatry students and the policy of UCL.

3.          To encourage students from all University of London Colleges to join the campaign initiated by UCL Union in protecting students rights to be fully informed about their education.

4.          To mandate the President to communicate Union policy to the University of London Vice Chancellor and Council.

5.          To mandate the President to communicate the Union policy to Frank Dobson MP and John Hutton, Minister of State, Department of Health.

 

 

PASSED: 13^th October 2003