STUDENTS and staff have voiced concern to political figures over proposed cuts at Bangor University.

Arfon AM Siân Gwenllian and the Senedd's shadow cabinet secretary for health and social services, Helen Mary Jones AM, met with students and lecturers at the university's School of Health Sciences to listen to their views over potential cuts to the learning disability lecturing team.

Ms Gwenllian has received representations from lecturers and students, concerned that changes to the learning disability nursing course could lead to a reduction in the provision of specialist nursing training.

Concerns were also voiced over the long-term impact on care for people living with learning disabilities across North Wales and a possible loss of bilingual training.

Ms Gwenllian and Ms Jones said jointly: "At a time when we need far more nurses in North Wales to fill hundreds of vacancies, this threat to the bilingual training and support of our future frontline healthcare providers is alarming.

"People with a learning disability are entitled to the same rights of access to services as the general population.

"If nurses’ training is detrimentally affected in any way, this will undoubtedly have an impact on the provision of long-term front-line services."

They added: "How can we build upon the fantastic cohort of specialist nurses if those tasked with training our healthcare professionals are undermined in this way?

"It is therefore vital that the current provision of specialist nursing care is maintained in Bangor and across North Wales, so that the health and well-being of our most vulnerable citizens are safeguarded.

"We are taking this matter up with the chairman of Bangor University Council and have written to the Welsh Government cabinet secretary for health, Vaughan Gething to convey our concerns and those of our constituents."

Last month a protest was held by students over potential cuts at the university.