@ucu.org.uk @labourlewis.bsky.social @alicemlabour.bsky.social

This is exactly the kind of reactive, poorly thought through decisions that are now being made in response to the UKHE funding crisis.

These short-sighted cuts fundamentally erode and undermine the civic and social role universities should to be playing at a regional level.

These plans directly undermine efforts to address the national mental health crisis and will negatively impact mental health services across the East of England.

We need MORE mental health support, not less.

UEA management claims there's no expectation of increased commissions or student numbers. But NHS England plans to grow the workforce by THOUSANDS in coming years. The East of England alone needs 150 new PWP trainees, and 150 new CBT trainees next year

Senior NHS leaders have given UEA staff the "strongest possible assurances" that workforce expansion in these areas is both needed and planned.

While, a senior NHS figure warned closures would have "significant and far-reaching impact on the psychological workforce in the region."

The closures affect programmes that train:

CBT Therapists
Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs)
Clinical Associates in Psychology (CAPs)

All are NHS-commissioned roles desperately needed in our mental health services.

But we at @uea-ucu.bsky.social have a vision of a different UEA. One where solidarity, support, and mutual care is core. One where we work together to fight the current dumpster fire that is UK HE. One where we fight for the long term with reasonable ideas, not short term pocket lining.