Buckinghamshire NHS Trust 'proud' to celebrate 25 years of 'important' Filipino nurses
Buckinghamshire’s NHS trust has celebrated the nurses who have come over from the Philippines to support patients in the area.
Buckinghamshire NHS Trust is marking 25 years of working with internationally educated nurses from the Philippines. The trust has revealed the first two cohorts of nurses from the Asian country came over in 2001.
They have been celebrated by the trust for not just choosing Buckinghamshire as their place of work but the place where they built their lives and raised their families.
An NHS spokesperson said: “Over the past 25 years, nurses from the Philippines have played an important role across the trust, contributing to ward culture, supporting teams and providing high‐quality care for patients. Their contribution was particularly evident during the COVID‐19 pandemic and the recovery period that followed and continues to be seen across our services today.
“Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is proud to celebrate this milestone and to recognise the vital role internationally educated nurses play within our workforce and communities, reflecting the trust’s shared values of inclusion, respect and opportunity for all.”
Data released by the trust shows that from the original cohort of 45 nurses who joined in 2001, 26 are still working in Buckinghamshire today. The trust says that this showcases their lasting commitment and impact.
Michelle Layson, ward manager at the National Spinal Injuries Centre in Stoke Mandeville, said: “Internationally educated nurses (IENs) are central to the care we provide and the culture of our wards at the trust. While many have chosen to stay and build their lives in Buckinghamshire, we recognise that career progression must be clear and inclusive. Strengthening development pathways is essential so our internationally educated nurses can thrive and progress within the Trust, with opportunities for advancement being accessible and inclusive.”
Jenny Ricketts, chief nurse at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, added: “Reaching this 25-year milestone is a moment to pause and recognise the dedication, skill and professionalism that internationally educated nurses bring to our teams every day. Their commitment to patients, to one another and to our values is deeply felt across our services. I want to say a heartfelt thank you to all our internationally-educated nurses for the care they provide and the positive impact they have on colleagues, patients and families.”