Hull radiographers are pioneering patient safety with specialised training to save patients experiencing life-threatening reactions during scans.

CT Specialty Manager Andrew Stephens supports training for radiographers in community-based and mobile CT scanners in Hull, York, Grimsby, Selby, and Beverley, enabling them to respond to emergencies without support from doctors.

Other hospital trusts are now following the Humber and North Yorkshire CT and MRI Scanning Service, which operates community scanning for Hull University Teaching Hospitals, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Foundation Trust, and York Foundation Trust.

Andrew said: “We are one of the first in the country to deliver this safe service to patients and we’re very proud our service is leading the way on training.”

Patients undergoing CT or MRI scans receive contrast agents or dye injections, which help radiologists diagnose or rule out serious health issues. However, a small number experience severe allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis, which can be fatal without immediate intervention.

While anaphylaxis is managed in hospitals by doctors and crash teams, radiographers in community scanners work alone, prompting Andrew to develop training to equip radiographers with the necessary skills. In collaboration with the trust’s Resus Department classroom-based, enhanced life-saving skills training for Radiographers is provided.

Andrew also collaborated with Hull’s Clinical Simulation team to create a scenario using a mannequin to simulate a patient with anaphylaxis.

Kirsty Stephenson, Nursing Simulation Fellow, said: “The scenario allowed staff to learn how to respond should they ever encounter this very rare reaction in real life. It gives them the chance to put what they learn in the classroom into practice, learning from mistakes or better ways of working in a safe space.”

Clinical Simulation exercises are organised every three months and the new way of working is now being introduced in CT departments at Castle Hill Hospital and Hull Royal Infirmary. Jane Boddy, MRI Specialty Manager, has also implemented the training with the MRI team, addressing the unique risks posed by powerful magnets used in MRI scans.

The new system of radiographers with enhanced life support skills will be introduced in the new Community Diagnostic Centre in Hull later this year.

Andrew has been invited to present his work to leading radiologists and radiographers at the UK Imaging and Oncology Conference in June.

A specialist in infectious diseases in Hull is warning cases of Tuberculosis (TB) are increasing, with homeless people or those with drug or alcohol addictions at risk.

TB cases rose by 13 per cent rise in England last year. While 81.5 per cent of cases were diagnosed in people born outside the UK, there was also an increase in people born in the UK.

To mark World TB Day today, Dr Patrick Lillie, Consultant in Infectious Disease at NHS Humber Health Partnership, said Hull, like other cities in the UK, could see increasing cases of TB because of social risk factors like drug misuse and rough sleeping.

Dr Lillie said: “London and the West Midlands are already seeing an increase in cases but because TB is linked to deprivation and social issues such as drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness or close living in poor-quality housing, it’s possible that other cities, including Hull, could see more cases too.

“TB is a really serious infection so it’s important that anyone showing symptoms of TB gets tested and, if confirmed, receives treatment quickly to give them the best chance of recovery.”

The UK Health Security Agency says social risk factors for TB include drug and alcohol misuse, homelessness, prison and mental health needs. More than 17 per cent of people with TB are affected by one or more of these factors. Asylum seekers are also at risk of TB because of deprivation and poor social conditions.

TB mainly affects the lungs but can affect any part of the body, including lymph nodes, bones and the brain, causing meningitis. It spreads when a person with TB in their lungs coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms can include a cough lasting more than three weeks, high temperature or drenching night sweats, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss and feeling tired or exhausted.

Anyone showing symptoms of TB should see a GP or be encouraged to seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Patients with brain tumours are to benefit from precision surgery after Hull’s team of neurosurgeons secured a £100,000 investment to upgrade technology.

NHS Humber Health Partnership has invested £100,000 in digital software to enable neurosurgeons to conduct brain surgery with pinpoint accuracy, reducing the risk of damage to key functions like speech, vision and movement.

The neurosurgery team, based in the Neurosciences Unit at Hull Royal Infirmary, will now be able offer safer and more effective treatment to patients with brain tumours or aneurysms using the Elements software by medical technology company Brainlab.

Consultant Neurosurgeon Chittoor Rajaraman said: “For the first time in Hull, we will be able to use this technology to offer patients safer surgery, with better outcomes.

“Hull is keeping pace with developments in neurosurgery so, although we are a smaller unit compared to other parts of the country, our patients are receiving the best possible treatment delivered by the latest technological advances.”

Hull Royal Infirmary’s neurosurgeons treat around 80 patients a year with cancerous brain tumours called Glioblastoma (GB). Although the most common type of malignant brain tumour, Glioblastoma is incurable and grows rapidly. Surgery aims to give patients the best quality of life for as long as possible and neurosurgeons attempt to remove the tumour from the brain, known as resection.

However, this type of brain surgery carries high risk of damage to important parts of the brain such as those used to control movements, speech or vision because of their proximity to the tumour. “Brain shift” can also occur during surgery, rendering scans taken before the patient is in theatre less accurate.

Hull is one of over 15 neurosurgery units around the country, including King’s College, Oxford and Imperial College in London, which have been taking part in a national surgical trial known as FUTURE-GB for the past four years.

More than 300 patients are being monitored over two stages to see what difference a combination of new technology makes to post-surgery recovery, quality of life and survival.

Based on their experience in the trial using the latest software, Mr Rajaraman and his team have secured funding over five years to pay for the new Elements software, enabling neurosurgeons to plan each step of surgery to map and remove as much of the tumour as possible.

Real-time ultrasound imaging is produced during surgery, providing the neurosurgeon with on-the-spot information to help them adapt or change course if brain shift has occurred to protect key “wiring” in the brain as it can combine with the tractography images of the Brainlab Elements software.

Intra-operative ultrasound helps to reduce the time patients spend in theatre as the neurosurgery team will no longer have to halt the already-complex surgery to send the patient for an MRI scan to check the progress of the resection.

Mr Rajaraman said: “We can request ultrasound scans within a minute or two and then carry on, without the need to stop surgery for a patient to have an MRI.

“It is much better for the patient, achieving better outcomes and a greater quality of life for as long as possible.”

Knowing you may be at risk of developing ovarian cancer could help you live longer, a hospital cancer doctor says.

As part of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Dr Georgios Bozas, a Consultant Oncologist at the Queen’s Centre in East Yorkshire, says symptoms of the disease often only appear at an advanced stage.

However, as one in five cases are linked to family history, knowing you’re in at higher risk and taking note of symptoms should encourage you to seek medical advice as soon as you notice changes which may be linked to ovarian cancer.

Dr Bozas said: “Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynaecological cancer and is the sixth most common cancer in women the UK, affecting about 7500 women  and claiming around 4,000 lives a year.

“Early diagnosis can improve outcomes but the problem is symptoms usually appear when the cancer is at an advanced stage.

“Knowing you may be at risk of developing ovarian cancer means you can go to your GP as soon as you notice any symptom associated with the condition rather than waiting or putting it off, giving you the best possible chance of survival.”

Ovarian cancer develops when cells in the ovary grow and divide uncontrollably. They can form a tumour on the ovary or break off and spread to other parts of the body, most commonly in the abdomen, intestines, liver and stomach.

It’s most common in women over 50, those who have never had children, women with a family history of breast, colon or ovarian cancer in a close relative such as a mother, daughter or sister, women who are overweight or suffer from endometriosis. Diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption, asbestos exposure and very late menopause may also have an association with the development of ovarian cancer Up to Around 20pc of cases are linked to inherited faulty genes, such as BRCA1/BRCA2  (which are also associated with breast cancer and others).

Some of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer are

• Bloating
• Feeling full quickly, even if you haven’t eaten much
• Upset stomach or changes to bowel movements
• Frequent urination
• Pelvic or abdominal pain

Dr Bozas and the multi-disciplinary team at the Queen’s Centre at Castle Hill Hospital see around 120 patients each year with ovarian cancer, with the average age of 65 to 67.

Once a woman has been referred to the service by her GP following a blood test and ultrasound, she will be referred to the surgical team for surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible.

Some women may undergo pre-operative chemotherapy first before surgery or only chemotherapy is their case isn’t suitable for surgery. Other treatments include targeted therapy, hormone treatments and immunotherapy.

Did you know that around 80,000 across the Humber region have chronic kidney disease – and we began treating over 1,000 new patients in the last year alone?

And that’s why today, on World Kidney Day, our teams are going to be on hand to speak to you about the importance of good kidney health.

The team will be in the main foyer at Hull Royal Infirmary from 11am until 3pm, when you can find out more about how to reduce your risk of kidney disease and how organ donation can help to transform the lives of those whose kidneys have failed.

Top tips for good kidney health

Renal Transplant Nurse Practitioner, Elaine Harrison, said: “Your kidneys play a vital role in your overall health as their main function is to remove toxins and excess water from your blood. They also help to control your blood pressure, produce red blood cells and keep your bones healthy.

“It’s important to be aware that while Chronic Kidney Disease is very common – with one in 10 adults having some form of kidney damage – there are often no signs or symptoms of anything being wrong until the disease is in its late stages.

“Detecting kidney disease early can make a significant difference in how we can treat and manage your condition, so if you’re at risk of kidney disease it’s important that you get tested regularly.”

Factors which can increase the risk include:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Cardiovascular disease
• Obesity
• A history of kidney disease in your family

Elaine added: “On World Kidney Day, we want to help spread the word about the importance of getting regular tests but also how to reduce the risk of developing kidney disease.

“Things that are good for your general health are great for keeping your kidneys healthy, such as being fit and active and eating a healthy diet. It’s also important to have a good awareness of things like your blood sugar levels and blood pressure and make sure that you keep these in check.

“Unsurprisingly, good hydration is brilliant for kidney health. How much water you need to drink depends on lots of factors, including how active you are and how hot it is but, as a general rule, most people need around two litres of water a day.

“Smoking can adversely affect kidney health, as it slows the flow of blood  to the kidneys and can decrease their ability to function normally. It’s also important not to take over-the-counter pain killers such as ibuprofen regularly, as this can also harm your kidneys.”

Transplants – giving the gift of life

A kidney transplant can transform the life of someone with kidney disease – across NHS Humber Health Partnership, we are currently caring for 522 patients who have undergone kidney transplants.

Kidneys are the most commonly donated organs donated by living people, and about a third of all kidney transplants carried out in the UK are from living donors.

Kidneys can be donated to a friend or family member, or someone you don’t already know – and, in most cases, donations from living donors offer the best long-term outcome for the recipient.

Studies have shown that the average patient survival at 10 years is 90% with a living donor transplant compared to 75% after a deceased donor transplant – although, of course, both options are much better than having no transplant at all.

Anyone volunteering to donate a kidney is asked to undertake a series of tests, so the medical team can be absolutely sure they are suitable – and the health and safety of the potential donor is the primary concern. It’s also important to note that the process is completely voluntary, and the donor is able to change their mind, right up to the point of having the surgery.

People who are not compatible with close relatives, can donate to a pool where the most suitable matches can then access a kidney.

You can hear more about the process, including interviews with patients and donors here, in a series of videos made by NHS Blood and Transplant, with Transplant TV.

Another way you can help is to register as an Organ Donor, giving permission for your organs and tissues to be donated after you have died.

Not many people die in circumstances that make it possible for them to donate their organs – but for those who do, they can save up to nine lives, which is why every potential donor is so precious.

Ian Hoggarth signed the Organ Donation register six weeks before he tragically died from Sudden Cardiac Death.

Ian Hoggarth

His proud mum, Barbara said: “He has just moved to manager for a new job and renewed his driving licence – signing up to the Organ Donation register to agree to his organs and tissues being donated.

“We, as a family, also gave permission for this to happen and one of his kidneys went to a family man in his twenties.

“The other went to a lady called Jane in her forties. She had been diabetic from the age of nine and on dialysis for three years.

“We have been in touch with Jane in Scotland for many years and have become good friends. We never underestimate what she has gone through and the ongoing medication and checks she has to endure. However, she has told us how amazingly Ian’s gift has changed her life.

“She has been able to travel to see relatives in Canada. She has seen her nephews grow up and one now has a daughter who is her great niece. She adores her.

“She tells everyone to consider Organ Donation and sign up with their wishes online, to share their decision with their family and make a difference should the unthinkable happen.”

You can find out more about Organ Donation here.

Midwives in Hull, Scunthorpe, Goole and Grimsby are offering their services to help prospective parents quit smoking during pregnancy.

It’s National No Smoking Day today and around 1 in every 14 mothers in England are known smokers at the time of their babies’ birth.

Smoking in pregnancy increases the risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, and premature birth. Babies born to mothers who smoke are more likely to have low birth weight, which can lead to various health issues.

If their mothers smoke during pregnancy, it can also cause long-term problems for children such as asthma, chest and ear infections.

Joanna Melia, Public Health Midwife at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital, said: “Protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is one of the best things you can do to give your child a healthy start in life.

“Smoking claims around 80,000 lives a year in the UK and is responsible for one in four cancer deaths in England alone. So, it’s important to stop smoking when you’re pregnant to protect your own health and the health of your baby.”

Leanne Ellis, Consultant Midwife looking after public health at Scunthorpe General, Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital and Goole Hospital, said: “Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for yourself and your baby. It might be challenging, but with the right support and determination, you can do it.

“Remember, every step you take towards quitting is a step towards a healthier and happier future for you and your baby. So, take that first step today and give your baby the best gift of all – a smoke-free start in life.”

Tips on How to Stop Smoking

1. Seek Support: Contact your local Stop Smoking services for support, advice, nicotine replacement products, vape starter kits, or counselling. Research shows that going ‘cold turkey’ is the least effective way to give up smoking, so having a plan and support can make a big difference.
2. Use Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): NRT can help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The SNAP3 study is looking at how nicotine replacement can be used in different ways to help expectant parents kick the habit.
3. Stay Positive and Motivated: Remember, every cigarette you smoke takes approximately 20 minutes from your life. Quitting smoking will not only improve your health but also save you money – around £48 a week or £2,500 a year.
4. Create a Healthy Environment: Remove all cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays from your home. Avoid places where people smoke and ask friends and family to support you by not smoking around you.
5. Stay Active: Engage in physical activities that you enjoy. Exercise can help reduce cravings and improve your mood.
6. Use Technology: Access the NHS Quit Smoking app, a Personal Quit Plan, a 28-day email programme, and advice on stop smoking aids from NHS Better Health.

A hospital oncologist is urging men to recognise the symptoms of prostate cancer to improve their chances of surviving the most common cancer in men.

More than 50,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK every year, with more than 12,000 dying from the condition. Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy recently confirmed he had been given a terminal diagnosis of prostate cancer.

As part of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Dr Mohan Hingorani, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at the Queen’s Centre, Castle Hill Hospital, said early detection is crucial to maximise chances of survival.

He said: “The patients who die with prostate cancer are usually the people who are diagnosed when the disease is at an advanced stage and is then incurable.”

“However, if you detect the cancer at an early stage, you have a far better chance of cure and long-term survival so early detection is key.”

The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland just below the bladder and in front of the rectum or back passage that produces seminal fluid. Gene changes can cause it to become cancerous, although the exact cause of the change is not yet known.

More than half a million men in the UK are living with or have survived prostate cancer, with one in eight men diagnosed at some stage in their life.

It’s more common in Black men and the detection rate is one in four. Trans women and non-binary assigned males at birth also need to be aware of prostate cancer and its symptoms.

Dr Hingorani said prostate cancer is more common in men over 75 but can still affect younger men at any age.

Patients often do not experience any symptoms in the early stages. However, when the cancer becomes large enough to press on the tube carrying urine from the bladder, symptoms can appear.

These can include:

• needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night
• difficulty urinating – for example, a weak flow or having to strain to start
• feeling like you have not completely emptied your bladder

Sometimes, a non-cancerous condition known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) can mimic the symptoms of prostate cancer so it’s important to have symptoms checked by your doctor.

A PSA blood test is carried out by GPs to check the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in your blood and if your levels are abnormal, you’ll be referred for more tests to Urology to confirm diagnosis through examination, MRI scan, and biopsy. Prostate cancers can spread into the bones so a bone scan is often performed to exclude spread into the bones.

Dr Hingorani sees men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and can offer a range of treatment options including surgery, hormone therapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, depending on where the cancer is or if it has spread.

“It’s important that men realise that even if they have advanced prostate cancer and it has spread, we still have very good options which can help patients live for many years.

“Just because it’s spread, that doesn’t have to mean the end of the world.

“But becoming better informed about prostate cancer and its symptoms is key to helping us help you at the earliest opportunity.”

Celebrating its 10^th anniversary, ‘Humber Health Champions’ now extends its youth volunteering offer region-wide

It’s a scheme which has helped launch the careers of thousands of young people across Hull and East Yorkshire

Since October 2014, Hull Hospitals’ Young Health Champions programme has been offering 16 to 25-year-olds the opportunity to volunteer in hospitals and gain invaluable hands-on experience in clinical settings.

In that time, more than 2,700 young people have signed up, and gone on to enjoy careers as nurses, doctors, physiologists, emergency care workers and more.

Rachael Hardcastle-Pearce, Group Head of Voluntary Services

Ten years on, NHS Humber Health Partnership is celebrating by rebranding the programme as ‘Humber Health Champions’ and extending its reach to offer the same invaluable career opportunities to young people across the whole of the Humber region.

Rachel Hardcastle-Pearce, Group Head of Voluntary Services for NHS Humber Health Partnership says:

“The Young Health Champions Scheme has gone from strength to strength over the past ten years, giving young people who are looking for a career in health the kind of insights and experience you just wouldn’t get in a classroom.

“As this week is National Careers Week, we wanted to use this opportunity to roll the programme our further, under the name of Humber Health Champions, and offer young people the chance to gain knowledge and skills in a hospital setting, not just in Hull but across the entire region.

“Young people come to us for many reasons; sometimes they have a clear career path in mind and want experience in a certain area or type of care such as cancer or paediatrics, while others maybe know they want some type of caring role but don’t know exactly what. Volunteering as a Health Champion really serves as a passport around the NHS, enabling young people to learn more about different health roles and work in different areas to see which interests them most.

“This may surprise some people, but almost half of all volunteers now working across our hospitals in Hull, Cottingham, Grimsby, Goole and Scunthorpe are young people; that’s 289 out of 642; which shows just how popular the scheme has become.

“The Humber Health Champions programme is all about inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals and shoring up hospital services for the future by growing our own staff locally. As a result of our work, we’ve helped almost 3,000 young people boost their CVs, learn new skills, and of course, support our existing hospital staff to deliver great care to our patients too.”

Recently qualified Holly Giles is proud to be a nurse in Hull’s Emergency Department

One former Young Health Champion who has gone on to secure a full-time role as a staff nurse in Hull Royal Infirmary’s Emergency Department is 22-year-old Holly Giles.

Holly says:

“I started volunteering at the age of 17 to gain experience in a hospital setting.

“When I first started, I initially wanted to go into paediatric nursing. I worked on Ward 130, then on the Acute Medical Unit and the Emergency Department, helping to stock and tidy the areas, shadowing the nurses, and learning about the different roles within wards and departments.

“Being a Young Health Champion helped me find where I wanted to be and the role I wanted to do when I got to university. Having that chance to help on the wards helped me to understand the areas that I would be working in and to develop my communication skills.

“I looked into becoming a paramedic, but based on my experiences as a volunteer, I eventually decided that adult nursing was for me.

“Having the opportunity to work in different environments and departments allowed me to work out which areas interested me the most and, thanks to the young volunteers scheme, I have now reached my dream goal.”

If you or someone you know would be interested in becoming a Humber Health Champion, please contact the Voluntary Service Team on 07443 187097 or email  hyp-tr.huth.volunteers@nhs.net

Want to give up smoking? Now is the time you stop for good.

Three-quarters of smokers wish they could give up and many aim to quit on No Smoking Day, which falls on Wednesday, 12 March this year.

However, most think they’ll be able to tough it out by relying on willpower alone, only to fail that very day or shortly thereafter.

So, this year, boost your chances of success by getting your plan in place right now.

Pamela Parkinson, Clinical Lead for the Tobacco Advisory Team at Hull University Teaching Hospitals, said: “Research shows going ‘cold turkey’ is the least effective way to give up smoking so, this year, if you want to quit, start making your plan right now, ahead of No Smoking Day.

“Contacting Stop Smoking services for support, advice, nicotine replacement products, vape starter kits or counselling now will be the difference between success and failure.”

On average, every cigarette you smoke takes approximately 20 minutes from your life so, this year’s message is “Take back your life this No Smoking Day.”

Smoking claims around 80,000 lives a year in the UK and is responsible for one in four cancer deaths in England alone. Two-thirds of smokers will die from it and 408,700 hospital admissions were due to smoking in 2022-23, according to NHS England. Treating people with smoking-related illnesses takes £3bn from the NHS and social care funding pot.

At a time when the country’s finances under intense pressure, smoking costs our economy £21.3 billion a year through lost earnings, unemployment and early death.

And it’ll also boost your finances – saving you £48 a week or £2,500 a year.

So, ready to quit? Get in touch with your Stop Smoking team today.

• If you live in Hull, call Smokefree Hull on 01482 977617
• Residents in the East Riding should contact East Riding Stop Smoking Services on 0330 236 9102
• Call North East Lincolnshire Wellbeing Service on 01472 325 500 if you live in Grimsby
• And people in Scunthorpe should contact North Lincolnshire Healthy Lifestyle Service on 01724 298 212

You can also access the NHS Quit Smoking app, a Personal Quit Plan, 28-day email programme and advice on stop smoking aids from NHS Better Health.

At NHS Humber Health Partnership we’re proud to say that we employ hugely talented people from across the globe – 112 different nationalities to be precise!

And, while we value and appreciate every single person, no matter where they hail from, as today is NHS Overseas Workers Day we wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of all those who have travelled to our area to help care for you.

They bring a wealth of skills and experience in everything from clinical care to developing others – and we don’t know where we’d be without them.

We hope you’ll join us in thanking every single member of staff for their ongoing dedication and commitment in helping to make our communities better.

Their stories

Valerie, our head of Occupational Development, Inclusion and Wellbeing is originally from Lyon, France, but first came to the Humber region in the 1990s, studying in Hull.

It’s fair to say that she has a real passion for learning and inclusion – both in work and in her personal life – enjoying spending her free time studying foreign languages, spirituality, philosophy, and religion, when she’s not tending her fully-organic allotment or spending time with her family that is!

That love of learning and helping others to develop has also helped to shape her career.

She said: “I moved to the UK in 1998 and after working a few years in the export and import sector and international logistics, I realised I was enjoying training and development a lot.

“At the same time, I developed a fascination for tech and the boom of the internet offered me opportunities in online education and instructional design.”

Her career took her into leading on e-learning for Centrica, moving onto project management for HT and programme management for leadership development; before taking on senior Learning and Development and coaching roles in the wealth management and banking sector in Canary Wharf, London.

Valerie added: “I then moved to Lincoln and after taking a career break to raise my twins, I worked for local government services, before joining the NHS in 2021 as an OD business partner.

“I initially started working for NLaG in 2023 as Head of OD Inclusion and Wellbeing and grow a team of professionals to support culture transformation in the Trust and provide support to staff so that we build an environment where they thrive. What a great opportunity to make your mark isn’t it? I continue to strive to bring that change to the partnership since it was formed a year ago.

“People are our number one asset. I like the diversity of the people who work in the NHS best. I feel that the entire world is represented in all professions here and I see this as a great competitive advantage, to harness the richness of talent, ideas and innovation that people from all cultures and all backgrounds bring to the Partnership.”

It’s hugely important to us that we help our teams to grow and develop – taking on new challenges and achieving their career goals.

So, despite being very sad to see him leave us, we’re immensely proud that working for NHS Humber Health Partnership has helped talented Registered Nurse Ihsan Ullah take on his dream role in research.

Originally from Pakistan, Ihsan graduated with a nursing degree in 2007 and went on to achieve a PhD in Medical Sociology, joining Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust in January 2024 working in Emergency Care.

He said: “My aspiration has always been to progress in my career as a researcher, and I am fortunate to have been appointed to a research role by the Noclor Research Office in London, which I will be joining soon. However, NLaG will always hold a special place in my professional journey, and I will never forget the experiences and support I have received here. I have greatly appreciated the initial efforts of the Practice and Development team, as well as the support from the team on the Integrated Acute Assessment Unit and Same Day Emergency Care unit.

“What I like the most here is the emphasis on continuous professional development, the strong sense of teamwork, the supportive management, and the recognition of individual contributions. These aspects create a positive and motivating work environment.”

A passion for caring for others runs in the family for Nutritional Support Nurse, Esther Okochi.

Originally from Nigeria, her grandmother, mother and aunt were all nurses.

She said: “Growing up amidst these lovely and caring individuals in the noble profession of nursing attracted me to the career.

“Being a nurse myself for 16 years now, has also taught me to be more kind, empathetic and to be more diligent, and has afforded me the opportunity to meet a host of beautiful people from different walks of life. It has also opened me to a plethora of opportunities that I am forever grateful for.”

Esther graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree and qualified as a Registered Nurse in 2009, before taking on a role as a Nurse Tutor in the school of nursing. From 2011 she moved into clinical roles, working in medical, surgical and orthopaedic wards, along with obstetrics and gynaecology and community nursing.

The busy mum-of-four – who also loves singing, dancing, reading and cooking, as well as creating social media content – took the plunge to move to the UK in 2003, initially working on the Stroke unit.

She said: “I came upon an advert for the Trust and saw that the values aligned with my personal values. Not only that, but I watched the testimonials from other internationally educated staff; Nurses and Doctors. Their shared experiences made me feel at ease, also made me aware that the Trust has its staff well-being at heart. I applied, was fortunate to get a job in the Trust.

“Honestly, I will say I have met some incredible people since working here who have shown me kindness, ready to help to ensure there is professional development and career advancement which for me is vital to attaining job satisfaction, and self-actualization – so I say a big thank you to all the wonderful teams making this happen.”

Although moving to another country and adapting to a different healthcare system has been a challenge, since joining us in 2020 Odunola has soared.

She said: “NHS Humber Health Partnership stood out to me because of its reputation for supporting international healthcare workers and the opportunities available for training and career progression.

“I came here in October 2020 as a dedicated International Professional, with a passion for using my expertise and dedicating myself to patient care. I have worked in Ward 22, the Endoscopy Unit and I am now part of the Occupational Health Department.

“I have been a qualified Professional Nurse Advocate since two years ago and I am proud to be a source of encouragement and support to patients and colleagues.

“Beyond my professional role I have integrated into the local community, building meaningful and lasting relationships.

“What I like best about working here is the warm and inclusive culture, genuine care for staff wellbeing, the commitment to professional development and the diverse and collaborative work environment.”

Originally from Nigeria, Olu was drawn to a career in occupational health nursing because of her “passion for making a real impact in people’s lives—both in their health and their workplace experience.”

She said: “I have always believed that work should be a place where people can thrive, not just survive. The idea of promoting health, preventing illness, and ensuring a safe and supportive working environment deeply resonates with me.

“I love my Job – it is more than just a role; it’s a chance to support people, drive change, and ensure that everyone has the care they need to stay happy, healthy, and productive at work.
And I absolutely love the fact that i have a manager that shares the same vision.

“Beyond work, I’m a proud mum of two energetic boys—a full-time job I absolutely love! I also enjoy cooking because the men in my life sure love to eat.”