Nurses from the Philippines celebrate 20 years of service at South Warwickshire University Foundation Trust (SWFT)

In 2003, an arrangement was made between the UK and Philippine government to recruit overseas nurses, allowing our NHS the opportunity to enhance skills and explore best practice while supporting the local healthcare systems.

Today, we celebrate the seven nurses from the Philippines who arrived in the UK in March 2003 to work at South Warwickshire University Foundation Trust (SWFT). Christine Plandano, Mary Morales, Zyril Marriot, Sheryll Collett, Nanette Cabatac, Olga Barri and Allan Retirado arrived in the UK in March 2003 to start their nursing careers at SWFT.

The Nurses have their own story of why they chose to stay at SWFT.

Christine Plandano, Staff Nurse:

As I reflect on my 20 years of working at Warwick Hospital, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and appreciation. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of healthcare professionals. The different teams I have been a part of, Orthopaedics, Cardiology and now Recovery team, have allowed me to learn, grow and develop as a Nurse. I have had the privilege of working with some of the most dedicated and passionate Nurses and I am proud to be among them.

I am also incredibly proud of being a Filipino Nurse at Warwick Hospital. It has been an honour to represent my culture and heritage in this institution. I strongly believe that being a Filipino Nurse has given me a unique perspective and understanding of our patients, which has helped me to connect with them on a deeper level. The sense of camaraderie and support among Filipino Nurses here at Warwick is something that I have always valued and appreciated.

Throughout my time here, I have had the privilege of being part of many memorable moments and have seen countless patients recover under my care. I have seen the hospital grow and evolve over the years, but one thing has always remained the same: our commitment to providing the highest quality of care to our patients. I am grateful to be a part of this wonderful institution and I look forward to many more years of serving the community and being a proud Filipino Nurse here at Warwick Hospital.

Mary Morales, Clinical Sister:

I started working in the Medical Assessment Unit at Warwick Hospital on March 15, 2003, and I am still working in the same unit which is now called Oken Ward.

Working in the medical department has taught me a lot of knowledge in my Nursing career. It has a wide variety in scope of learning. In my 20 years of service to SWFT I have gained many friends and I was able to raise a family here in Warwick.

I love working in the Medical Assessment Unit because I can consistently work at a high level performance which everyone appreciates. I am valued for being a good team member holding the Trust values to account at all times. I am always given the chance to attend career development study days to uplift my knowledge and confidence and feel trusted in demonstrating years of leadership, knowledge and understanding.

The Oken Ward team are all very supportive and caring to everyone in the team, we call it the A Team! I would like to thank my Oken Ward family for all the love and support they have shown me the last 20 years of my service and I hope to serve many more at SWFT.

Zyril Marriott, Ophthalmology Team Leader:

I arrived in the UK 20 years ago as part of a group of Filipino Nurses hired by the NHS to work at Warwick Hospital. I found SWFT to be a great place to work and soon made many new friends among my colleagues and the local community, receiving a great deal of help, advice and mentoring both with my nursing career and how to live in the UK.

I joined SWFT as an adaptation nurse in Day Surgery Unit Theatre and have steadily progressed to my current position as Theatre Team Leader in Ophthalmology. I love SWFT in its commitment to serve everyone fairly. As a diverse community, both staff and patients; SWFT continue to serve in respect of language, culture, and ethnicity.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all the help and guidance I’ve received from my SWFT mentors and colleagues, both past and present. As we say in the Philippines ‘Maraming Salamat Po’.

Sheryll Collett, Advanced Clinical Practitioner:

I was given the opportunity and privilege to join SWFT in 2003 as an adaptation Nurse from the Philippines. Throughout the years, I have met exceptional people who inspired, motivated and encouraged me whilst finding my niche. SWFT has provided me with support as the Trust saw my potential to develop professionally.

I am now an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in the community and I am committed to providing care and treatment whilst patients can stay in the comfort of their own homes.

SWFT's values and culture make it an enjoyable, steadfast and rewarding place to work.

Nanette Cabatac, Theatre Services Team leader:

I am grateful for SWFT for the opportunities it has opened for us Filipino Nurses. SWFT provided us with excellent training and support to develop our unique skills. This enabled us to deliver outstanding patient care whilst making positive impact on patient lives.

My journey at SWFT started as an Adaptation Nurse and I am now a Theatre Team Leader for Elective Orthopaedic. I'm so thankful for the opportunities I have received. I am privileged to be working with a great team in which teamwork is highly dynamic, they continue to inspire me. They are not just my colleagues, but friends that became family.

It is with immense pride as a Filipino Nurse that we have achieved this significant milestone of 20 years of service here at Warwick Hospital. I am grateful and incredibly delighted about the years ahead to continue to serve the NHS. I am confident the next ten years will be even more momentous my fellow “Warwickpinoy Nurses”.

Allan Retirado, Staff Nurse:

I started working at Warwick Hospital in 2003 as adaptation Nurse. I, together with other Filipino nurses went on to do 6 months of rigorous conversion training to prepare for the role of Registered General Nurse (RGN). After 6 months, I got my UK pin number and started practicing as a registered general Nurse. I am now working as a senior Theatre Practitioner in Main Theatre.

Through the years I have met and worked with wonderful, talented leaders who supported me in my career. I have been given the opportunity to develop my skills which nurtured me to be a good team player. I decided to stay at SWFT because the Trust has supported my career development and I believe in its values. Warwick is also a great place to live!

Olga Barri, Senior Theatre Practitioner:

June 13, 2003, was the most exciting moment in my life; leaving my home and family in the Philippines to work in England. When we arrived, they said it was summertime and the weather was bright and sunny but it was freezing cold for me. It was something we hadn't experienced before, and the first snow experience in winter was an amazing, unforgettable moment.

All the new experiences and with a little bit of struggles missing home, it was made easy by the warm welcome, support, and respect from my new colleagues at SWFT in the Warwick Hospital Main Theatre.

This year it will be my 20th year in England, although I still miss my home in Philippines, I wholeheartedly made England my home with my own family now. Warwick Hospital is a huge big part of my life here in England.

Glen Burley, Chief Executive said ‘I am extremely proud to work for a diverse organisation that brings with it a wealth of expertise from all over the world. I would like to express my thanks to Christine, Mary, Zyril, Sheryll, Nanette, Olga and Allan for 20 years of dedication to our Trust. You are all true assets to SWFT and we are extremely grateful you have chosen to continue your careers with us, here’s to the next 20 years!’

The NHS offers many different roles, in different settings, with different ways of working, within hundreds of organisations. This creates a unique opportunity for people who want a varied, flexible and challenging career within a world-class culture.

If you would like to find out more about SWFT’s career opportunities go to: https://www.swft.nhs.uk/join-us/careers

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