• National recognition for Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
• Award presented for how Bolton supports its international recruits
• Bolton provides best practice pastoral care

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust has received the NHS Pastoral Care Quality Award for its work supporting international staff.

The award recognises the trust as providing best practice pastoral care, support and commitment to our international nurses and midwives.

Chidinma Akpahu, a nurse in Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s Clinical Decision Unit, said:

From the journey from my country to the UK I was given excellent support from Bolton NHS Foundation Trust. I chose Bolton over two other trusts that I was successful in securing a post at.

“I felt that the team were always there for me, responding to emails and always being supportive and approachable.

During recruitment, Bolton’s international recruitment team:

• Maintain contact with successful candidates
• Support new arrivals with understanding “what matters to them”
• Keep them fully informed of allocated area of work, suitable accommodation and plan for arrival

And on arrival to Bolton:

• Provide high-quality and welcoming accommodation
• A friendly face on arrival, relationships are already established before they arrive
• Orientation into the Bolton family, sharing places of interest, transport and other opportunities that enhance their experience

Vicky Fletcher-Simm, International Recruitment Lead at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

We know that moving country is a huge thing to do and want to make sure that our new colleagues feel welcomed into the Bolton family as soon as they begin the recruitment process.

“The team works so hard to provide tailored support to our international recruits to help them so they can help the people of Bolton and beyond.

The NHS Pastoral Care Quality Award recognises our work in international recruitment and our commitment to providing internationally educated nurses and midwives with high-quality pastoral care.

James Mawrey, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of People at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

I am so proud of everyone at Bolton for how they welcome our international recruits, but especially the incredible hard work of our dedicated international recruitment team who routinely go above and beyond.

“The enhanced pastoral support they provide makes such a difference during recruitment and on arrival to Bolton, really supporting people’s wellbeing as they settle into life in a new country, often without their existing support network.

“A massive well done to the whole team and thank you for all the work you do helping our international recruits settle into life and work in Bolton.

Find out more about joining Bolton’s team on our dedicated page.