Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH) has received an NHS award for their work in supporting internationally educated nurses and midwives from across the globe.
The award, known as the NHS Pastoral Care Quality Award, is
part of NHS England’s International Recruitment Programme, and recognises Trusts’ who go above and beyond to offer employment and pastoral support to nurses and midwives from across the globe during recruitment and beyond.
In 2022 when the award was launched, 322 international nurses and midwives joined Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. The new nurses and midwives are provided with tailored, high-quality pastoral care packages including meet and greet welcome packs before they arrive.
They are also given information on the Trust’s buddy scheme, where individuals have the opportunity to be buddied up with an existing SASH employee for support on both their new role and their new local community. The additional pastoral support supports staff wellbeing, but also has a positive impact on both recruitment and retention.
Tina Hetherington, Chief Nurse at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said:
“It’s so important to make sure our nurses and midwives joining us from abroad feel welcome and fully supported as they settle into hopefully a long and fulfilling career in the NHS.
“Ensuring they have wraparound pastoral support long beyond their job offer means they can really focus on their new role and the community we care for. Their knowledge, skills and experience are an asset to our workforce and our ability to care for such a diverse local community. We are honoured to have them on our team and this national recognition from NHS England showcases our commitment to them.”
Recruitment from outside of the UK continues be an important part of the workforce supply strategy of NHS organisations, in line with the NHS People Plan. The NHS Long Term Plan sets out the ambitions for the NHS over the next 10 years, identifying ethical international recruitment as a workforce priority.
You can find information about the award on the NHS England website.