COVID-19 unfolding in higher education

The year 2020 will forever be synonymous with the coronavirus and the impact it will have had on the world. As the Associate Head of Allied Health Professions—a role which encompasses leadership of paramedic education at the University—the rapid upsurge of change required has been extremely challenging for students and staff alike. By mid-March, universities began to cancel all face-to-face teaching with immediate effect. Across the country, classes are being delivered online via synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learning.

Students have been undoubtedly anxious about their studies with the move to online learning (see p. 247), cancellation of some placements and the impact on upcoming assessments. The universal message, however, is that universities are focused on the continuation and progression of programmes, and students are supported. Academic tutors across the UK are working tirelessly to ensure this happens.

Towards the end of March, legislation from government has enabled final-year students in their last 6 months of study on professional programmes regulated by the HCPC to join a temporary register, on condition that all practice placements have been completed. Many ambulance services cancelled ‘normal’ student placements and subsequently employed students to work in areas such as 111 and emergency control for a temporary period. Within my institution's regional ambulance trust, most first- and second-year students have been offered employment in such roles for a 12-week period, supporting the NHS during this national crisis. They have stepped up, making us all very proud.