HEALTH bosses in South Devon are celebrating after a host of local NHS colleagues and initiatives were recognised in the shortlist for this year’s Nursing Times Workforce Awards.

The national awards have shortlisted Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust colleagues and programmes across five categories, recognising their work to recruit, support and develop the healthcare workforce.

The finalists are:Best Recruitment Experience: Grow Our Own: Healthcare Support Worker to Registered Nurse Pathway; Internationally Educated Nurse of the Year: Abdul-Manan Alhassan and Gabriel Moroti; Manager of the Year (Non-Clinical): Rachel Nolan; Practice Educator of the Year: Anitha Rego and Danielle Swift and Preceptorship Programme of the Year: The 5 Thrive Framework.

The Nursing Times Workforce Awards celebrate excellence in workforce development, education, leadership, recruitment and support for NHS staff.

The shortlist reflects a wide range of work taking place across Torbay and South Devon, from creating new routes into nursing and supporting internationally educated nurses, to helping newly qualified colleagues settle into professional practice and developing future leaders.

Joe Teape, Chief Executive, said: ‘I’m delighted to see colleagues and initiatives from across Torbay and South Devon recognised in this year’s Nursing Times Workforce Awards shortlist.

‘These nominations reflect the dedication, skill and commitment of people who are helping others learn, develop and succeed in health and care careers.

‘Congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted and thank you for the difference you make every day’.

Jess Piper, Chief People Officer, said the nominations recognised the different ways colleagues were helping to build the workforce needed to care for local communities.

‘These nominations recognise the many different ways colleagues across Torbay and South Devon are helping to attract, support and develop the workforce needed to care for local communities, now and in the future’, she said.

‘As the largest employer in Torbay and South Devon, we know the important role good employment, training and career opportunities play in people’s lives.

‘We’re proud to see individuals and initiatives recognised for helping colleagues build confidence, develop new skills and progress their careers in the NHS’.

Among those shortlisted is Gabriel Moroti, a nurse on New Forrest Ward, who has been nominated for Internationally Educated Nurse of the Year.

Gabriel said the recognition meant a great deal to him, particularly because of the support he provides to other internationally educated nurses and newly qualified colleagues.

‘This recognition means so much because it reflects not only my personal growth, but also the difference I have been able to make to patients and colleagues’, he said.

‘I am most proud of supporting fellow internationally educated nurses and newly qualified colleagues to build confidence, develop professionally, and feel valued within the NHS’.

His nomination follows earlier recognition closer to home.

In May, Gabriel won the organisation’s People’s Choice Individual Award, which was nominated by patients and carers and decided by public vote.

The team behind the Grow Our Own: Healthcare Support Worker to Registered Nurse Pathway has also been shortlisted for its work creating opportunities for Healthcare Support Workers to progress into registered nursing.

The clinical education team said the nomination was ‘more than an award’, representing their commitment to career development and supporting colleagues to achieve their ambitions.

The winners will be announced at the Nursing Times Workforce Awards ceremony in London on November 24