Superb support for international nurses and midwives in west Hertfordshire
Posted: 7 December 2022
The quality of care and support provided for international nurses and
midwives joining West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust has been
commended with a national award.
The teaching trust, which runs Watford General, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans
City Hospitals, received the NHS Pastoral Care Quality Award for its commitment
to providing high-quality pastoral support.
The safe arrival, induction, and education of new people joining the trust is a
number one priority for the international recruitment and corporate nursing
teams.
In 2022, West Herts welcomed 180 overseas nurses and midwives. Each individual
is supported from the moment they join West Herts. They are greeted with a
personalised welcome card from the chief nurse, get help in finding
accommodation and receive an induction pack with information about the area and
the trust.
New joiners complete a three-week induction, supported by the education team.
They are introduced to their managers, receive guidance from a development coach
and are provided with support to complete their OSCE (an objective structured
clinical examination to ensure international nurses meet the Nursing and
Midwifery Council standards for registration).
Once induction is completed, the preceptorship team and pastoral care link
nurses provide one to one support to the new nurses and midwives, ensuring that
they settle into their role and provide advice in a professional and personal
capacity, should they need it.
The trust works with a local charity called Communities 1st who provide a
buddying support system for the international recruits. This involves helping
them settle into their new area providing information on local public transport,
developing an understanding of the UK currency as well as arranging day trips to
attractions in the area.
Tracey Carter, chief nurse, said: “I am so proud that the care, support and
commitment to our international colleagues has been recognised. We value our
international staff immensely and they are vital and important members of our
teams.”
Andrew McMenemy, chief people officer, said: “It is so important to have a happy
and thriving workforce and looking after the wellbeing of staff is our top
priority. Thank you to all our colleagues and teams who support our
international recruitment and who have helped the trust to achieve this award.”
Ends
- For more information, please contact the communications team on: 01923 436280 or email: westherts.communications@nhs.net. For out of hours media enquiries please call the Watford General Hospital switchboard on 01923 244366 and ask for the on call communications manager.
- West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves people from across Hertfordshire, north London and further afield. It operates from three hospitals; Watford General, St Albans City and Hemel Hempstead. The trust has a catchment area of over 500,000 people and is one of the largest employers locally, with around 5,000 staff and volunteers.
- For more information about our hospitals, visit www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk. You can also join our followers on Twitter (twitter.com/westhertsNHS) and find us on Facebook (facebook.com/westhertsNHS).
