International staff pass OSCE exams

A  group of internationally educated nurses based in Newtown have been celebrating passing their OSCE exams.

The group of six all hail from  India and have been recruited by Powys Teaching Health Board to help reduce the reliance on agency nurses.

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is an internationally recognised certification of clinical competence for nursing staff and all internationally educated staff are required to pass to nurse within Powys hospitals.

The team are based in Newtown’s Montgomeryshire County Infirmary and are employed on a permanent basis. Permanent staff reduce costs for the health board in comparison with the employment of agency staff.

David Farnsworth is Assistant Director, Community Servies with the health board. He commented: ““Congratulations to our colleagues who have passed their OSCE exams and we welcome you to the health board team.  We are delighted that you have chosen to continue your career with us and we have already seen the huge contribution that you and your colleagues have made to the NHS here in Powys.”

“We know that by reducing our reliance on expensive agency nurses, we can reduce our costs but, not only that, by having staff continuity, we can also improve the quality of our care,” added Mr Farnsworth.

Welshpool’s hospital was the first to receive a group of internationally-educated nurses, followed by   Newtown. A third group is beginning to work at the Bro Ddyfi Community Hospital in Machynlleth.

Photo: Pictured at Newtown’s hospital are (from left),Rose Mary Sunny ; Blessy Bijo ;Ganga John; Bilha Benny; Poornima Kunjumon  andd Reshma Haridas.