A Cumbrian health trust has won an award for giving a warm welcome to its overseas nurses, midwives and other professionals.
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven and Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary, plus community hospitals, has been awarded the NHS Pastoral Care Quality Award.
The trust has recruited over 350 international nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and radiographers since 2021, and aims to recruit over 400 in total.
Its international recruitment work and commitment to providing high-quality pastoral care to internationally educated nurses and midwives has been recognised by NHS England.
The award recognises the trust’s efforts to support recruits with the cultural and clinical challenges of living and working in a different country. It helps with everything from accommodation, transport to registering with a GP and opening a bank account.
Shery Shaheryar joined the trust in March 2021 as a staff nurse – in the middle of the pandemic. He is now working as a clinical educator at the Cumberland Infirmary, supporting some of our new overseas educated nurses as they settle in.
Shery, originally from Pakistan, said he found the pastoral care very supportive and helpful.
He said: “I was given a timetable for bus routes from my accommodation to the hospital. The day I arrived, I was given a food pack, which was such a great gesture. In addition to this, the trust organised a social event where we got opportunity to meet other overseas nurses. That was a lovely evening.
“I believe, one thing which stands out the most, is in the trust they look after you like a mother. The pastoral team will consider and acknowledge all your concerns and will do their very best to solve any problems you may encounter.”
Anne-Marie Weller, head of nursing, clinical education and practice development (nursing, midwifery and allied health professions), said: “We are delighted to have been given this award.
“The team has worked hard to ensure that each and every nurse receives a warm and supportive Cumbrian welcome to the trust. Achieving the award is recognition for this.
“The team are real ambassadors, displaying the trust’s values on a daily basis and endeavour to respond to every request quickly.
