"It's a dream come true" - our Internationally Educated Midwives reflect on their journey to UHDB for NHS 75
As our NHS reaches its historic 75th birthday, we want to recognise the vital role that international recruitment has played in shaping the NHS into what it is today - and how it affects our future.
At its inception, the NHS faced a significant challenge in terms of healthcare workforce shortages - with Britain in need of healthcare professionals to meet the demands of its growing population in the wake of World War II. To address this, the NHS turned to exploring talent across the world.
With many selflessly leaving their home nations to devote their careers to the service of others, these committed NHS colleagues have brought with them a diverse range of experiences, knowledge and skills that have benefitted the healthcare we provide to our patients and communities. With it, they have also brought diversity and cultural enrichment to our organisations.
Here at UHDB, internationally-recruited colleagues across our organisation play a vital role in delivering exceptional patient care. We are hugely privileged that talented people from across have colleagues from over 100 different countries, recently captured in our One World, One #TeamUHDB flag that was hoisted at our Royal Derby Hospital (RDH) site earlier this year >
We caught up with some of our most recent internationally-recruited midwives for NHS 75 - to hear about their journey to UHDB and their motivation for providing maternity care for our communities.
"Every step of the journey has been amazing"
UHDB has embraced innovative methods and partnerships to recruit nursing and midwifery colleagues in particular - from all over the world.
With funding from Health Education England, we established a close working relationship with an agency called Resource Finder UK to seek out exceptional talent across the globe. This partnership has targeted various countries, but began with the Philippines, from which recently-qualified midwives Jenjirlyn Belas, John Mercado and Rizaline Espeno originate; before expanding to other countries such as Ghana, where midwife-in-training Doris Asiedua travelled to the UK from.
Doris said that she started the process of attempting to join the UK midwifery workforce around two years ago, but as soon as she saw the opportunities at UHDB come up, she was 'determined' to join our organisation - saying that she "screamed in joy" when she found out she'd been called to interview in the UK: "I couldn't believe it - I still feel blessed to have even been invited to interview, and afterwards, I was waiting and ringing up every day to hear whether or not I'd been successful, and I was overjoyed when I found out that I had been.
"Now I've settled in here, even though we're all in different parts of the process - I'm still preparing to become fully qualified - it feels like a big family here. We all support each other.
"I arrived in May, and should I be successful, I'll be qualified in August. I'm getting gradually acquainted with how we deliver care here, and I've found being on the 'shop floor' shadowing colleagues fascinating, comparing how we practiced as midwives in our home countries.
"One thing I love about midwifery in the UK is that we ensure that pregnant people in our care are given the opportunity to make an informed choice. I think this makes people feel more at ease with their pregnancy journey, as we give them all the information and care that they need and help choose their own unique path.
"What fascinates me about UHDB is our collaboration - we come together to make it work, everyone has different skills and experience and that is only benefitting people who need our care.
"I've learnt a lot already, and I'm still in the process of learning - that journey is amazing for me, every step of the way."
Jenjirlyn and John arrived in the UK around nine months ago, and became fully qualified midwives in May, following their passing of their OSCEs - a requirement for internationally-educated healthcare professionals to practice in the UK. Finding out about the Resource Finder UK scheme, they were keen to 'explore this amazing opportunity' and work in the NHS.
Jenjirlyn said: "Sometimes, as midwives, we didn't feel fully appreciated for the work we do back home - but as soon as we saw this opportunity, we had to take it. Here in the NHS, I know that we're all trusted and valued for our skills and experience, regardless of where we are from - it really is a dream to be here.
"The NHS was created solely to help the British people, with talented people coming from across the world to do that. Visiting a hospital at some point is inevitable. Being sick, needing treatment, and - importantly for us midwives - being pregnant is part of life. The fact that you can walk into a hospital and get the treatment you need for free here is incredible.
"The UK is very lucky to have the NHS and healthcare within their reach - myself and many international colleagues know very well how difficult alternative systems can be, and how they affect people's lives and wellbeing."
Being part of this "world-class" system, as well as feeling "valued and heard" by colleagues, was a big part of why John came to the UK to qualify as a midwife, who said that he feels "part of the family", saying: "Everyone appreciates that all colleagues have an important role to play, no matter their role.
"Since arriving in the UK I have felt so welcomed, and it's been amazing to learn and share skills with those from the UK and across the world. Being in the NHS helps me grow more and develop, and I really enjoy working here. It's a dream come true."
Rizaline arrived in the UK and at UHDB through the Resource Finder UK partnership in February 2023, and through her determination and hard work, as well as the support from the team around her, passed her OSCE within just a few months - qualifying in May. Talking about her experience working at UHDB so far, she said that it was a "surreal, amazing feeling". She continued:
"It only sank in that I am really here when the plane landed! I've always wanted to come to the UK, so like John and Jenjirlyn, I am so grateful to be able to fulfil my dreams.
"It was a rollercoaster ride to get here and become qualified, but I feel so supported at UHDB, in the good times just as much as when I might be feeling a bit low or homesick. Ria Licence - our Clinical Educator for Maternity International Recruitment - is our line manager and she in particular has been a lifeline for us whenever we need support and guidance. I am so incredibly grateful to Ria and all of the colleagues who have helped us all who have come from different countries - we are treated like friends and even though we are so far from 'home', I never feel alone.
"In my opinion, the NHS is the best healthcare system in the world - and to be part of that is just amazing. No matter your religion, your gender, your background - in the NHS, you are valued. We are all so lucky to be here."
Some of UHDB's IEMs with Ria Licence (centre), Clinical Educator for Maternity International Recruitment.
(3rd from left, Rizaline Espeno; left of Ria, Jenjirlyn Belas; right of Ria, John Mercado; 3rd from right, Doris Asiedua).