Isle of Wight NHS Trust thanks nurses who made huge leap

The County Press first featured the nurses when they arrived on the Island, on November 23, 2001.

Many of that first cohort of nurses have been caring for Islanders ever since, so the trust arranged the gathering as a thank you recently.

In 2001 the CP reported: "The first batch of 20 nurses from The Philippines have been welcomed to the Island where they will boost staffing levels at St Mary's Hospital.

"Another 25 nurses are due to arrive on the Island, where they will undertake an adaptation programme to gain full UK Central Council registration before taking up their duties on the wards.

"After that they will work in theatres, rehabilitation, surgery, medicine, and a medical/surgical/rehabilitation rotation.

"The Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust took the decision to recruit from overseas after being unable to fill the posts from applicants in this country.

"Staff at St Mary's will be supporting the new recruits and they will be introduced to the Island way of life by members of staff who will give advice on everyday things like shopping, travelling and entertainment."

The nurses celebrating a decade on the Island. (photo: Isle of Wight NHS Trust).

Ava Deperio, now an advanced clinical practitioner, was 23 when she made the decision to move to the Isle of Wight.

She started her NHS career as a staff nurse in theatres.

She said: "I can’t believe it has been 20 years. When I look back, I feel really proud of what I have achieved and I hope it inspires other people, locally and internationally to join the trust.

“I have been able to make the Island my home. I met my husband here and we have had a family who love it here.

"In the Philippines I lived just outside Manilla in a large city.

"I have loved the transition from city to Island life, it has been a great place to have my children grow up in.

"I love the solitude it brings as well, I definitely feel recharged when I come back to the Island after visiting friends and family on the mainland or abroad.

“Career wise I have been encouraged to really develop my skills and I am now an advanced clinical practitioner in the Critical Care Outreach Team.

"Everyone from the HR team to my managers have supported me to realise my potential in the NHS."

Left, Ava Deperio, advanced clinical practitioner, and right, Neldy Javier, a staff nurse in recovery main theatres at St Mary's Hospital.

Neldy Javier, a staff nurse in recovery main theatres, helped to organise a recent celebration event for the original cohort.

She said: "I have been really happy since I moved to the Island and joined the trust. My children were young when they came here and they want to stay on the Island now.

“I felt so welcomed when I arrived, by the community and my colleagues.”

Juliet Pearce, the newly appointed director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, presented the remaining members of the cohort with a thank you gift and a memento.

Juliet said: “It is so important to recognise the huge contribution our international nurses have made to our trust and Island community over the past 20 years.

"They are invaluable members of our team and the boost our international staff provide to our NHS has been crucial as we continue to face the challenges of the pandemic.

“It is a brave decision to move away from your friends and families and relocate to work in another country.

"I am delighted our nurses have made the Island and our trust their home and have developed their careers with us."

Celebrating 10 years on the Island (photo: Isle of Wight NHS Trust).

Jackie Humphries, resourcing manager said the trust was proud of its diverse workforce, which in the last five years, has welcomed more than 200 nurses from across the word, including Nigeria, India and the Philippines.

A further 59 new international team members will join in the months up to February 2022.