Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust awarded an NHS Pastoral Care Quality Award and staff member invited to reception at Buckingham Palace with King Charles

SOUTHERN Health NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded an NHS Pastoral Care Quality Award which recognises the “physical and emotional” support it gives to new staff.

Given by NHS England it was also given for the trust’s role in international recruitment and the fact it provides pastoral care for its nurses and midwives from overseas during training and employment.

Since April 2020, Southern Health has employed 232 international nurses, supporting them to integrate into life and work in the UK.

Gregory Hinds, international nurse educator team leader at Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, joined it after moving to the UK from Barbados in 2021.

He said: “I know what it’s like when you are in an unfamiliar environment. You need people to support you to settle into your new life and the new culture.

“It’s great to see our work validated and recognised. I am proud of our team, it is evidence of Southern Health’s high quality and ethical approach to recruitment, pastoral care and education for internationally educated nurses.”

Gregory has been invited to Buckingham Palace later this month to attend a reception hosted by the King to celebrate the contribution of nurses and midwives, especially international ones, working in the UK’s health and social care sector.

Paula Hull, director of nursing at Southern Health, praised Gregory and others who help staff members from overseas saying: “I am very proud of the work that Gregory, Randy Agbodo a practice educator for Internationally educated nurses and the team have done to welcome and support some truly incredible colleagues to settle their lives, families and their professional roles here at Southern Health.”