Southampton ferry fear leaves Solent nursing student facing axe

Esme Bates, from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, suffers with anxiety, made worse by ferry cancellations, and is no longer able to travel to Southampton Solent University.

In January, an ambulance had to be called after she suffered a panic attack, brought on by Red Jet suspensions and the fear of being 'stranded'.

Esme, 23, is doing an unpaid placement at St Mary's Hospital on the Island and is required to travel to the university for her nursing degree one day a week for lectures between 9am and 3pm.

She said, at first, the university was supportive, letting her complete lectures from home.

But staff have since said this cannot be extended to the third and final year of the course and have issued her an ultimatum - defer for a year or be withdrawn.Esme Bates at home in Cowes (Image: IWCP) Every Tuesday Esme gets up and tries to go, supported by her father, Alan, but it becomes a "massive ordeal".

She said: "I've had it where I've been sitting on the boat and I'm either dry retching or shaking like a leaf."

She said she has unsuccessfully suggested she video calls in to lectures or collaborates with the education team at St Mary's.

All PowerPoint presentations from the lectures are put online and she reads them every week, she said.

Her non-attendance is not affecting her grades either, she said, as she achieved an A in her latest essay, which she got back last week.

"I understand the need for lectures and I've tried to be flexible.

"It's something I know I can get over but with that looming pressure over me, I've sort of frozen myself."

She is also waiting for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), but until then is "stuck between a rock and a hard place".

Esme started at St Mary's as a health care assistant during the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020.

Despite the experience being "harrowing", she still decided to pursue a nursing degree two years later, with the long-term goal of becoming a doctor.

If she can't continue with the course, she'll be forced to go "back to square one and look for another job".

The university told the Echo's sister paper the Isle of Wight County Press most courses require students to physically attend and this is made clear on application and at the start of each academic year.

A spokesperson said: “We appreciate that some students may not be able to attend every class. Our attendance policy sets out the way in which the university will manage periods of absence.

"This includes the possibility of withdrawal or suspension from the course if attendance requirements are not met.  

“Any student that declares a disability related barrier to study, including mental health, is offered a support plan by the university.

"This plan will set out reasonable adjustments to enable the individual to study effectively, however it would not remove the need to physically attend classes if this is a requirement of the course.”