George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust recognised with prestigious NHS award

The ongoing support and dedication provided to international Nurses at George Eliot Hospital has been recognised after the Trust achieved the Pastoral Care Quality Award from NHS England.

This award reflects the incredible work being carried out at the Trust to support international colleagues to receive enhanced and tailored pastoral care as they start their NHS careers.

Natalie Green, Chief Nursing Officer at George Eliot, said on the award: “I am extremely proud of what we have put in place to support our international recruits.

“This award is testament to the fantastic staff who work tirelessly to ensure the newly appointed international members of our nursing workforce are made to feel supported and welcome when they join us.

“At George Eliot, we pride ourselves in ensuring our internationally educated nurses are looked after before they even arrive in the country.

“We have a specialist team of existing nursing staff on hand every step of the way to ensure their transition to this country and the community is as smooth as possible. They help to guide new starters, from pre-employment checks, achieving their Objective Structured Clinical Examination to working at the hospital as a UK registered nurse.

“They guarantee that our international staff are provided with large support network and are given extensive training and guidance to help them settle into the NHS. This includes a welcome breakfast to meet other new arrivals and an informal lunch meeting the Chief Nursing Officer and senior nursing team.”

George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust has been at the forefront of planning in the NHS to continue the long tradition of benefitting from overseas recruitment, with nurses choosing to come from other countries to live and work in England.

The Trust ensures the safe arrival, induction, and provision of support for new people joining the workforce, which is the number one priority for international recruitment in the NHS.

Launched in March 2022, the NHS Pastoral Care Quality Award scheme helps standardise the quality and delivery of pastoral care for internationally educated nurses and midwives across England to ensure they receive high-quality pastoral support.

Natalie added: We are always looking at ways to further the quality of support we give our staff and are also working on the NHSE preceptorship quality award to highlight our ongoing commitment and to providing excellent care.”