Home Page

Friday, March 1, marks Overseas Workers' Day across the NHS. 

The day gives people the chance to recognise the incredible contribution which overseas workers make to the National Health Service and overall health of the nation.

An estimated one in seven of all NHS staff are from overseas, according to the Doctors' Assocation UK, representing more than 200 different nationalities.

This year is the fourth event of its kind and NHS employees are being encourage to show their support for overseas workers by posting messages on social media using the hashtag #OverseasNHSWorkersDay or #ONHS2024, wearing blue and green - the colours of the earth and of Overseas NHS Workers Day - and by displaying flags of different nationalities in buildings.

Here at the Trust, we caught up with several employees to mark the occasion.

Priya Priya - Practice Development Nurse

Top image: Priya Priya at work in Hillingdon Hospital

Can you explain how you came to work for the NHS and at Hillingdon Hospitals?

"I take immense pride in being a part of the Trust. Back when I was in India, I used to read about NHS services and made a firm decision to join one after completing all essential examinations in my home country. With the assistance of my agency, I was able to connect with the Trust.

"I decided to apply for a position and attended the interview. The interviewer from the Trust was incredibly welcoming and even from a distance, I felt included as I was already a part of the Trust. The interview was conducted in such a calm and pleasant manner that I made my mind then and there to join.

What do you enjoy most about working for the NHS?

"What I loved the most about being in the NHS is the incredible sense of inclusivity and diversity. Despite having a diverse group in each job role. We all come together in harmony with the same voice. This is what makes the NHS such a fantastic place to work. 

What I loved the most about being in the NHS is the incredible sense of inclusivity and diversity

"At the Trust, our values are encapsulated in CARES and each of us whole heartedly embodies these values when it comes to patient safety and delivering services. It feels like envisioning the perfect workplace. Every voice is heard, staff wellbeing is prioritised, and time flexibility is embraced making it ideal place for any employee.

How important do you think it is to recognise overseas workers in the NHS?

"It is crucial to acknowledge overseas workers in the NHS, and our Trust does an excellent job in this regard. This recognition helps overseas workers to feel motivated and valued, creating a sense of home away home.

"Celebrating a dedicated day for them foster enthusiasm in their work and being celebrated feels truly rewarding. I appreciate this recognition and extend my heartfelt wishes to all overseas NHS workers on their special day."

Daffin Jena Jeyaraj - Pre-registered nurse

Can you explain how you came to work for the NHS and at Hillingdon Hospitals?

"I attended an interview through an agency in India where I am from and I got selected at Hillingdon via an online interview. The agency helped me through the visa process and now I'm here, having arrived in January."

What do you enjoy most about working for the NHS?

"We've just started so we're still getting to know everything. We've only been here two months but the working hours are good - it's 37.5 hours a week so we get a lot of leisure time and the handover time between shifts is really crisp."

How important do you think it is do recognise overseas workers in the NHS?

"We feel blind at first when we came over because everything is new - the protocols, the policies, everything. The people we see are from totally different contients, basically, so at first I felt very introverted towards these things but the staff came forward and helped me out.

We feel blind at first when we came over because everything is new

"I felt afraid of everything but they really helped me. All of the overseas nurses would be feeling afraid and detached initially so I feel like we should go forward and help them come out and days such as this one will benefit that."

Jincy Mole Kunjumon - Healthcare Assistant

Can you explain how you came to work for the NHS and at Hillingdon Hospitals?

"I am also from India and after passing my exams I contacted an agency. Through them I got an interview with Hillingdon and came over here.

What do you enjoy most about working for the NHS?

"The balance between working and leisure time is really good. At handover time we can easily access everything and it's a very enjoyable experience.

How important do you think it is do recognise overseas workers in the NHS?

"When I first came here, there were new rules and the protocols are different. Even though we have handled medication before, we need to start as a newcomer so the staff are very helpful for us and having a day to celebrate overseas workers is very good."