HCA Healthcare UK announce partnership with Talent Beyond Boundaries

HCA Healthcare UK has partnered with the nonprofit Talent Beyond Boundaries, welcomes 30 forcibly displaced healthcare professionals into roles in the UK.

HCA Healthcare UK has partnered with the independent charity Talent Beyond Boundaries, to open international employment and migration pathways and welcome thirty forcibly displaced healthcare professionals to fill talent gaps.

The partnership has been launched as part of HCA UK’s ongoing commitment to building exceptional and diverse teams, by employing the most talented colleagues in the healthcare sector.

Launching at The Wellington Hospital this month, the programme makes HCA UK the first independent healthcare provider to employ fully qualified nurses who have been granted skilled visas after being forcibly displaced. Looking forward, the healthcare provider will be extending the programme out to the wider HCA UK network.

Displaced from their home country by conflict and civil unrest, these colleagues have been recruited into staff nurse roles across ITU, oncology, medical or surgical wards.

The first cohort will start this month, with a further cohort of colleagues set to arrive later this year. All international recruits are offered support to ensure they can find immediate housing in the UK, alongside local community, and pastoral support.

Talent Beyond Boundaries is also working with the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) to extend the scheme to the wider independent healthcare sector, including through a number of pilots to recruit refugee and displaced physiotherapists and radiographers.

John Reay, President & Chief Executive Officer of HCA Healthcare UK, said:

“We are extremely proud to drive this programme forward, to build on our recruitment of talented, highly skilled colleagues from the UK and overseas. This new partnership demonstrates the invaluable contribution forcibly displaced professionals can bring to our society and economy.

“Our new colleagues join our already exceptional teams who are focused on ensuring every patient has the highest quality care and experience with us and we are delighted to welcome them to HCA UK."

Marina Brizar, UK Director at Talent Beyond Boundaries, said:

“By engaging with governments, refugee-serving organisations, the private sector, and local communities, Talent Beyond Boundaries is pioneering Displaced Talent Mobility which enable displaced people to move for work, resume their careers, and rebuild their lives with dignity.

“Our latest partnership with HCA Healthcare UK establishes a fantastic opportunity for forcibly displaced individuals to work in the UK as qualified professionals in the roles they are trained for, and we are excited to see these remarkable nurses reach their full potential.”

On starting as a Pre-Registered Nurse at The Wellington Hospital, Firass Lababidi, added:

“Pursuing a nursing career in Lebanon was near impossible due to my Palestinian refugee status. Despite having a Master’s degree and almost 9 years of training and experience, I was turned away at every point. It’s difficult to put into words what a lifeline this opportunity is for me, both for my career and my livelihood. The first few weeks have been a whirlwind, but I’m so excited to now be settled in and starting off in my new role.”

David Hare, Chief Executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, said:

“It’s been a privilege for IHPN to work with Talent Beyond Boundaries and enable independent healthcare providers, such as HCA Healthcare UK, to support this fantastic initiative to help refugee and displaced healthcare professionals rebuild their lives and put their skills to use.

“Independent providers treat millions of NHS and private patients every year, and these new partnerships with Talent Beyond Boundaries are simply a win-win situation - ensuring that the sector has the workforce it needs, as well as enabling them to play their own small part in tackling one of the world’s biggest humanitarian challenges.”


 *   For more information, visit: https://www.talentbeyondboundaries.org/