NHS trust wins award for growing its own nurses

A pioneering recruitment initiative in an NHS Trust dubbed “the grow your own staff nurses” scheme has gained national recognition for HR managers.

Basildon and Thurrock General Hospitals NHS Trust has been granted beacon status by the Department of Health for its good practice solution to staff retention problems.

Head of project development John Adsett said the scheme gives support staff the opportunity to gain GNVQ level 2 and 3 in caring and the chance of a secondment to the University of East Anglia for a nursing degree.

There are around 100 people at different stages of the scheme, and more than 30 are seconded on to it each year.

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Adsett said it was one of the first NHS recruitment and retention schemes drawn up in partnership with managers and unions.

“It was drawn up in partnership before it became a buzzword. We sat down with managers, trade unions and staff to draw up the scheme,” he said.