Our team mission
Our team mission at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust is to support teams and news starters through both high-quality education and individualised pastoral care.
Why recruit from abroad?
There is a national shortage of registered nurses across the UK which makes recruiting a real challenge. This national shortage has in turn impacted the Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, with many services running with high nursing vacancies.
National workforce statistics show that the adult nursing workforce has grown considerably in the last decade from 170,000 to 196,000. However, demand has also continued to grow.
The UK population is aging, which means there are more people retiring than there are younger workers beginning their careers, resulting in shortages in most work sectors. The health care sector is under additional strain as it is required to care for people who are living longer and have multiple health needs. Services provided have advanced in technology, enabling developments in treatments and therefore the survivability of particular conditions and situations.
We need to think about the multiple health needs of our population and specifically those in the local areas; some of our areas reflect huge diversity in terms of patients' cultural, ethnicity and religious background and we would like our workforce to reflect this diversity.
International recruitment in the NHS is closely governed by bodies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), NHS England and Improvement (NHSE & I) and NHS Employers to ensure any process is ethical; it is important to ensure our work to recruit nurses does not affect the status of an international health system in a developing country. The World Health Organisation sets a list of countries which it considers having ‘fragile' health economies and other countries are not permitted to actively recruit from this list. The list was last reviewed in February 2021.
It takes at least four months from the interview to arriving in the UK, and often at least six months' work will have gone in to preparing for the international application to work in the NHS. The decision to make this step is not taken lightly by our international colleagues, and we recognise the effort and sacrifices they make in order to work in our Trust.
Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust nurse vacancy rates
In January 2021, we looked at the vacancy and turnover rates for the Trust. We know there are a number of vacancies but we can see that our turnover rate is not excessively high, which suggests vacancy rates are long term, reflecting supply issues, rather than staff retention issues. There have been improvements in nurse vacancy rates and a number of successful recruitment measures have been implemented. One solution to address the existing vacancies is to recruit internationally educated Allied Healthcare Professionals (AHPs).
Detailed discussions have been held with the ward leadership teams to agree the numbers of international recruits for deployment to each unit in the light of ongoing recruitment activity and the ability to support / induct them appropriately.
COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all health systems around the globe and the UK government, NHSE & I and WHO have monitored the situation to advise on temporary adjustments to the usual rules. For example, from the end of April to mid-June 2021, there was a restriction imposed on nurses joining the NHS from India.
We receive updates directly from the national team at NHSE & I on such matters and follow the guidance provided.
Supporting international recruits
We recognise that the welcome and pastoral care our recruits receive has the potential to affect their immediate first impression and long-term settlement plans as well as their intention to remain at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.
We have appointed a Pastoral Support Officer who will take a lead in setting up a network of ambassadors across the Trust to offer support to our new starters. These ambassadors do not need a clinical background. If you are interested in being part of this project, please get in touch with the team on
Supporting current staff at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
We recognise there is a need to support our existing staff to develop their skills, knowledge and experiences. To find out more, read about the potential ways to develop your career at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.
Are you currently in a support role with current international registration?
We know there are many existing qualified nurses and therapists working in our Trust as Healthcare Assistants and Technicians. For many reasons they have not yet completed the process to achieve UK registration. We are currently exploring what the biggest challenges are (for example the language requirements, cultural considerations) to help inform our strategy on this topic.
You might also find these links useful:
- Nursing and Midwifery Council – A step-by-step guide on how to register as a nurse or midwife if you trained outside of the UK
- Health and Care Professions Council – Useful website for applicants who have completed professional training and practised outside the UK, and haven't been registered with the Health and Care Professions Council before
Offer an international recruit a homestay
We're looking for friendly, welcoming hosts who can offer our international recruits a room in their home for up to three months initially. This can be extended, by mutual agreement, if you wish.
One Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust staff member is already hosting international recruits in her Crawley home and she's shared her thoughts on the experience:
During a coffee break at work, I saw a poster about welcoming international nurses to the Trust. I had been thinking about renting out one or two bedrooms after my son left home, so I contacted the International Recruitment Team.
Following a property check, I was introduced to two nurses from Kerala, India. They arrived with a lot of luggage but between us we found space for everything! They have settled in well and seem to enjoy living in my home.
They are both based in Haywards Heath so I've shown them train timetables, how to get tickets at the station and how to use the local buses. We are respectful of each other and are managing to give each other the necessary space when using the kitchen and bathroom.
What I'm enjoying most is that they love to come and chat in the evenings whilst cooking or just relaxing. It's great learning about their lives and culture plus they seem to like learning about our country and my family. Even when they move on, I know we will keep in touch. We are already planning a trip to London together to see the sights.
The whole homestay process has been smooth and well organised. I would thoroughly recommend anyone who is able and has a spare room to give it a go. The experience so far has been a joy.
If you are interested in hosting an international nurse, or if you would like more information, please contact the International Recruitment Team on
Our team
The International Workforce Development Team is a newly formed team working across the Trust to support the needs of international recruits.
Who’s in the team
Contact the International Recruitment Team
For general information and advice, email:
For homestay information and advice, email: