Celebrating the vital role of overseas workers in healthcare – North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
A HEALTH trust – whose staff represent countries from across the world – is marking a day to celebrate the work of overseas workers.
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has staff who come from more than 50 countries across the globe.
These staff work in a range of areas – including as doctors, nurses, health support workers, therapy, non-clinical – as well as many more.
The Trust is highlighting the vital contribution all of these make to the organisation, as part of Overseas NHS Workers Day today.
Deepak Dwarakanath, the Trust’s medical director, said: “Without overseas workers and the outstanding role they play at this organisation, we simply couldn’t provide the same level of care to our patients.
“We are proud to have such a diverse range of staff from more than a quarter of the world’s countries – all playing a critical role here.
“These are people who want to make a real difference to the health of people in our community and bring a wealth of skills and knowledge with them to do that.
“This is an opportunity for us to acknowledge the fantastic part these staff play.”
The Trust has staff from countries across Europe such as Romania and Ukraine as well as from countries further away including the Philippines, India, Malaysia, Afghanistan and Nigeria.
Martha Nandago moved from her homeland in Uganda to Stockton nearly 20 years ago.
She works at a staff nurse in the trust’s orthopaedic outpatient departments at the University Hospital of North Tees and the University Hospital of Hartlepool.
She said: “I love working at this organisation and am passionate about making a difference to the lives of our community.
“I live in Stockton – it’s where three of my four children were born. It’s my community and my home.
“This is a fantastic place to work and to live – we have staff from all over the world bringing so many skills to their roles.”