Hospital trust thanks “trailblazing” Filipino nurses for 25 years of service

University Hospital Southampton (UHS) is marking 25 years of service from its Filipino nursing community, with the first cohort having arrived in 2000.

Since then, Filipino nurses have played a vital role in delivering high-quality, compassionate care across the Trust, becoming a valued and integral part of the workforce.

UHS was one of the first NHS Trusts in the country to lead an international recruitment campaign during a period of significant nursing shortages.

Recognising the urgent need to strengthen its workforce, the Trust took proactive steps to recruit skilled internationally educated nurses (IENs) from overseas – particularly from the Philippines – whose training, professionalism and values aligned closely with the NHS ethos.

This pioneering approach not only addressed immediate staffing challenges but also laid the foundation for a more diverse, resilient and globally connected nursing community at UHS and across the wider NHS.

As part of the campaign, colleagues travelled to the Philippines to host a recruitment event, resulting in the hiring of approximately 120 nurses. These new recruits joined the Trust in smaller cohorts of 20 to 30 at a time, ensuring a smooth and supportive transition.

Their arrival marked the beginning of a sustained international recruitment programme that has continued to grow in the years that have followed.

Mavis Ayer, multiple sclerosis lead clinical nurse specialist at UHS, has worked at the Trust since 2000 and was part of the first cohort – with 13 still at the Trust. She said: “When I first arrived at UHS in 2000 as a newly qualified adaptation nurse from the Philippines, I never imagined the journey ahead.

“From my early days on the neuroscience wards to becoming the first Filipino junior sister and later a ward manager, every step taught me resilience, compassion and the power of teamwork. UHS became more than just a workplace – it became the foundation of a career that continues to inspire and fulfil me.

“Joining the multiple sclerosis (MS) team in 2014 marked a turning point, offering not just professional growth but a deeper sense of purpose. As a lead nurse, I’ve had the privilege of supporting people living with MS, becoming a trained prescriber, a Florence Nightingale Foundation scholar, Windsor Leadership Alumna and co-chairing the UK MS Specialist Nurse Association.”

She added: “Receiving the Nikki Abel MS Nurse of the Year Award was a proud moment, shared with the incredible community that’s shaped my path. UHS may not have given me the career I first pictured, but it gave me something far richer – a lifelong love for nursing and a place to truly belong.”

Today, international staff make up more than a third of the Trust’s workforce, with more than 5,000 colleagues from countries including Australia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Portugal and Ukraine.

The Philippines remains the largest represented group, with just over 1,200 nurses working across specialties such as cardiac, cancer, neuro, maternity and emergency care.

Rosemary Chable, head of nursing for education, practice and staffing at UHS, was part of the leadership team that spearheaded the international recruitment campaign and played a key role in the early trips to the Philippines.

She said: “I’ve done many things in my 41-year nursing career so far, including 38 years with UHS, but spearheading this recruitment and seeing it sustain over the years is definitely one of the highlights – and one of which I am most proud.

“Those early groups from 2000 were true pioneers – they were supported through a training programme to help them qualify as registered nurses in the UK – but we were all learning together. They were real trailblazers, paving the way for others to follow.

“It’s especially heartwarming to see how many of them have stayed with us. It’s always a joy to see familiar, friendly faces around the hospital. Binabati kita at salamat – congratulations and thank you.”

Filipino nurses are recognised for their dedication, professionalism and compassionate approach – qualities that have left a lasting legacy at UHS and continue to shape the experience of patients, colleagues and communities across the NHS.

Natasha Watts, acting chief nurse at UHS, said: “This milestone is a moment to reflect on the incredible contribution of our Filipino nurses, and of all international nurses across our hospitals and the wider NHS.

“They are part of the very fabric of our health service – without them, we simply couldn’t function. Their dedication, resilience and compassion continue to shape the future of healthcare, and we owe them far more than just a thank you. I hope they all know just how much they are valued.”

Staff have been marking the occasion with a series of informal celebrations and get-togethers – sharing stories, food and reflections on the impact of Filipino colleagues over the years.

The milestone was also formally recognised during a recent special edition of Spotlight, the Trust’s in-person staff update, held as part of We Are UHS Week – a celebration of the people and values that shape the organisation.