We’ve been recognised nationally for our efforts to support all international nurses and  midwives who join our Trust.

On Monday 20 March we were awarded the NHS Pastoral Care Quality Award. The award aims to help standardise the quality of support for internationally educated nurses and midwives across England to ensure they receive the support they need.

Over the last few years, we’ve put a huge amount of work into the recruitment and settling in of our international employees. We have a dedicated nurse who is focused on looking after these recruits. 

Melanie Fernandez said: “Before I arrived from the Philippines I had regular contact with Beverley Sawer (recruitment nurse). This was good because it helped me feel settled in even before I had started. And when I did arrive I was really made to feel at home - the welcome lunch was such a nice touch after a long flight.”

On arrival all international staff are greeted by our award-winning Senior Intern team who take them to their furnished accommodation that has all the essentials they need to settle in after a long journey. The Intern team helps show them around their local area and ensure they have their UK phone cards, with access to Wi-Fi, so they can contact their family/loved ones. 

We have recruited over 550 nurses and midwives to work across the Trust since 2020.

Our Chief Nurse Kathryn Halford OBE said: “We have worked really hard to help our international staff settle into their roles here at our Trust and into the UK. Winning the Pastoral Care Quality Award is really great recognition for all our hard work.”