Nurses from the Philippines start placements at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals

The clinicians started their first placements at Doncaster Royal Infirmary last month across a number of different specialities, including renal medicine, diabetes and endocrinology and general nursing.

Having trained and qualified in t he Philippines, the cohort is currently undertaking an assessment which marks them against the Nursing and Midwifery Council standards for registered n urses in the UK. Following this, the nurses will be registered and able to practice.

Angela Lawas will be working with the team on ward 32 at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

She said: “Even though I was apprehensive on the way over here, and it’s different to where I’ve worked beforehand, I’m really excited to be here. The area seems g reat and the hospital is much larger than I expected with a lot of facilities.

“I can see myself settling here long-term and maybe even retiring here.”

Overseas recruitment is one of the trust’s approaches to providing a stable workforce to ensure quality services and care for its patients. Recruiting and retaining substantive employees also reduces the amount the trust spends on agency cover. The money saved can be reinvested into patient care and facilities.

David Purdue, director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals at the trust, said: “On behalf of everyone, I would like to welcome our newest members of the team. We are grateful that they have chosen here .”