Publish date: 2 March 2023
Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS FT is embarking on a new recruitment drive to welcome internationally educated Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) to the workforce.
Backed by funding from NHS England, the drive aims to help tackle vacancies in professions such as Podiatry, Occupational Therapy and Radiography.
While the Trust already currently recruits from abroad, the new programme will formalise the process and offer new recruits enhanced support when they arrive in Tameside.
This includes pastoral support, help with accommodation and connecting with other internationally educated professionals in the community.
The process has been underway since last year and the first recruits are expected to start during the Summer.
Michelle Thurman, AHP Workforce Lead for Tameside and Glossop ICFT, said: “AHPs are a vital part of the healthcare workforce and we know there is a shortage of them nationally so having a formalised international recruitment programme allows us to recruit to vacancies for AHPs, while offering an appropriate level of support for our new colleagues.
“Internationally educated professionals are so important for broadening our horizons, learning alternative ways of working and ultimately improving the standard of patient care.
“Lots of planning is happening with departments across the Trust to ensure we are ready to welcome our new colleagues once they arrive, and we are incredibly excited to welcome them to our team.”
The programme is drawing upon the experiences of the well-established international nursing recruitment team and the first cohort of recruits are expected to arrive by the Summer.
Find out more about the role of AHPs on the NHS website.
Meanwhile, the Trust has also appointed a Chief Nurse BAME Fellowship Lead.
Fabiane Norris joined in January 2023 and is working on a programme to support professional development for international and BAME nurses.
