Stepping Hill Hospital has recently reached the landmark of its 40th recent nursing recruit from India, the latest in a stream of new nurses from the nation.
The Indian nurses have signed up as full time staff, and are working across the hospital in areas including surgery, medical wards and children’s services. An additional 24 further nursing staff from India are also scheduled to join up later in the year as well, between the months of April and August.
Many of the new staff are joining friends and family members already working at the hospital. Satisfaction rates are high among staff members from the country already working at the hospital, and they have been keen to spread the word.
The new recruits are working full time as staff for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, rather than bank or agency staff. Having full time staff members means better continuity of care for patients, as well as better value for the trust.
As with other international recruits, the staff from India are receiving expert support from the learning and development and nursing teams, including a comprehensive clinical education programme to support their transition into the NHS. This includes one-to-one pastoral support and advice from managers on areas such as banking in the UK, a specialist WhatsApp group, and onsite accommodation for those who need it.
Together with all nursing staff from outside the EU, they take an IELTS ( English language ) examination to show they are fluent in English due to the importance of communication in caring for patients. They also undertake a practical OSCE (objective structured clinical examination) examination to ensure that their clinical skills are of the highest calibre. Around 9% of the trust’s overall staff are from overseas, with India, Spain, Ireland, Pakistan and Poland being some of the main home nations.
Alison Lynch, Chief Nurse and Director of Quality Governance at Stockport NHS Foundation trust said “The contribution of our recent Indian recruits has been fantastic, they are busy providing great care day in, day out across our hospital. We really value their contribution, and the contribution of all the different nations who make up the Stockport NHS family – we couldn’t provide the service and care we give without them.”