Communities across the Hunter and New England are experiencing a welcome boost of new nurses, with more than 140 registered nurses recruited from the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland.

Hunter New England Local Health District has welcomed the first of these new skilled nurses, who are now settling into the District’s hospitals and towns, following an international recruitment drive to attract staff and boost the capacity of local healthcare teams.

The incoming nurses are qualified and experienced in emergency, surgical care, intensive care, and paediatrics, with many honing their skills at specialist hospitals in the UK.

Nurses are being placed across the District’s hospitals and facilities, including 41 at Tamworth, 37 at Manning and 28 at Maitland hospitals, with dozens having already transitioned into their new roles.

As part of their welcome, the new nurses and their families are greeted at the airport by District staff, before being escorted to local accommodation.

Ongoing training and personal support are provided, including an orientation and buddy-up system to ensure the nurses feel comfortable and supported in their new environment.

The District is currently assisting the remaining overseas nurses through the visa and immigration process, and anticipates their arrival in the coming months.

The international recruitment drive is one of a range of initiatives currently underway to attract and retain nurses to HNELHD’s facilities, with other measures including the employment of more than 250 graduate nurses and midwives, the implementation of the NSW Government’s Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme, school-based trainee program, and tertiary study subsidies.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“I warmly welcome these much needed and valued nurses to our Hunter and New England regions, who are bringing a wealth of experience to our facilities and communities.

“Health worker shortages in our regions is one of the biggest challenges confronting our health system.

“International recruitment drives are just one way we are helping to attract and retain health workers in our regional and rural areas. We want to ensure everyone can access high quality healthcare no matter where they live.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley:

“It’s fantastic to welcome so many new nurses who have chosen to make the Hunter home.

“These workers will make a real difference to peoples’ lives and help deliver better outcomes for patients and their families.

“The NSW Labor Government is working hard to rebuild our public health system and the recruitment of these overseas nurses plays an important role in boosting the current workforce.”

Quotes attributable to Elizabeth Grist, Executive Director, Nursing and Midwifery, Hunter New England Local Health District:

“I am thrilled to see over 140 overseas nurses continue their healthcare careers in NSW and I want to pass on my thanks for choosing our District.”

“No two days are the same in our hospitals, and we are committed to providing these nurses with continuous opportunities for career-enhancing experiences and learning development across a variety of areas.”

Quotes attributable to Michelle Keir, Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Tamworth Hospital:

“We’ve welcomed over two dozen overseas nurses to our hospital so far, who are all settling well into the community and enjoying their new lifestyle and nursing roles.”

“The overseas recruitment drive has been an extremely rewarding initiative, which has boosted morale and wellbeing among our existing staff as well as benefiting our patients.”

“I look forward to welcoming and supporting more nurses over the coming weeks and months, as we continue to receive applications from highly-skilled nurses from across the world.”

Quotes attributable to Bindhya Thomas, Registered Nurse, Tamworth Hospital:

“I have 12 years’ experience in nursing, and I’m currently working in the acute surgical ward at Tamworth Hospital, taking care of post-surgical patients.”

“It was my dream to migrate to Australia and I’m so happy to be here, the sun is shining every day and that makes it so enjoyable.”

“My colleagues are so supportive. I feel like I’ve been here for many years and that’s a wonderful feeling.”