Employing all NHS-funded students on the minimum wage would be the fairest way to provide financial support, the SoR has concluded.
Between September and December 2009 government called on students, unions and educators to say how the NHS Bursary Scheme could be revised to enhance support for prospective NHS staff.
Stakeholders responding to the Department of Health consultation were asked to choose from a list of possible options, including in-service training programmes, loan allocation or a revised bursary scheme.
Responding on behalf of radiography students, the SoR chose option 5 which called for students to receive a salary while studying.
Under this plan students would be employed, whether taking a diploma or a degree, by an appropriate NHS organisation on a contract issued at the start of their studies that would end when they completed or left their course. They would not be eligible for a student loan, but the NHS would continue to pay all tuition fees.
SoR professional officer for education and students, Samantha Jewell, explained the decision: "One of the reasons for the high level of attrition for radiography students is financial concerns. Providing a system where students are paid at a certain level and not incurring debt through loans would undoubtedly allow us to attract candidates."
She cited examples in the UK where trusts are already funding student radiographers during training. "This has been positive for both the HEIs and the trusts. The HEIs have been able to recruit excellent students, and the trusts have contracts with these individuals so that they are training the students they will employ after graduation."
She conceded, however, that the likelihood of this option being accepted by ministers was "doubtful".
One of two alternative options chosen in the SoR response was for students to be given a non-means-tested bursary set to bring income up to a defined level, with no access to student loans. The maximum amount available would be significantly more than the amount that degree and diploma students get now.
Failing that, the SoR supported the provision of a non-means tested bursary for all students set at the same level as those currently available to diploma students
Overall the SoR's message was clear, said Samantha: "The government needs to provide adequate financial support to attract, train and retain high calibre individuals to provide a life-long service for the good of the country in-line with the government's current policy focus on quality"
"This was a major consultation and will have a huge impact for radiography students. We are awaiting to hear from the government how things will progress further."
The consultation is now closed and the responses from organisations, and individual are being summarised by the Department of Health.
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