Case Study: Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust improves nurse recruitment and retention with NHS Employers

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - Customer Case Study

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust faced challenges in filling nurse vacancies within its two hospitals. The trust identified a potential local talent pool of overseas-qualified nurses who were already working there as healthcare assistants but required support to gain UK registration. NHS Employers provided a framework for a tailored training programme to help the trust address this recruitment challenge.

NHS Employers' solution involved a 12-month in-house programme that guided candidates through the required IELTS English exams and the Nursing and Midwifery Council registration process. The trust recruited a part-time tutor and an education lead to make the process more cost-effective and supportive. The results were highly positive, with the first advert attracting 121 applications for 40 places. The programme improved staff morale, increased retention, and helped the trust's workforce better reflect the diversity of the local community it serves.

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust