23 October 2024

Okey Ibuzo, one of our Practice Education Facilitators won the RCN North West Award for Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 2024. 

This is awarded to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda and the experience of BAME service users and/or staff.

The criteria for the recipient from RCN was:

  • The individual has delivered positive outcomes for the organisations EDI work plan
  • Projects have been implemented and change is evident via evaluation or staff/service user reports
  • Evidence that the individuals work is enhancing staff/service user experiences
  • Active involvement in staff networks to support BAME staff/service users
  • Examples of how the individual is using their professional knowledge, skills and experience to enhance or support communities
  • Makes a tangible contribution to the organisation and the wider workforce/health and care community.

Okey achieved this award through his work supporting our Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) recruited to Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust as part of the Regional Collaborative.

He was pivotal in developing and delivering a comprehensive transition programme for all recruits and for supporting wards and teams to be equipped for the needs of our new staff.

Okey ensured that the needs of the IENs were met through the introduction of several initiatives including:

  • Pre-arrival MS Teams meeting conducted prior to nurses’ arrival
  • Establishment of WhatsApp group which the nurses use as a platform to share advice, information, and buddy up
  • Sourcing 12 weeks accommodation for new arrivals and support in finding suitable ongoing accommodation through the process of signposting to reputable renting agents, leasing with local  estate agents to ensure provision of decent, affordable housing, and provision of employment references
  • Development of Buddy support system to ensure each Divisional/clinical area has an identified member of staff responsible to the IENs in that area
  • Practice Education Facilitators maintain regular contact with IENs, supporting with OSCE preparations and other specific needs of the nurses
  • Liaison with Trust Preceptorship Leads to ensure that all IENs undertake a 12 month Preceptorship Programme commenced within 3 months of obtaining their PIN. This programme has been expanded to include bespoke modules for IENs including Career Conversations once they are established in role
  • Encouraging all IENs to undertake the Florence Nightingale Foundation leadership programme. A number have taken this opportunity and are enrolled or in the process of enrolling.

The Trust was awarded NHSE International Nursing and Midwifery Pastoral Care Quality Award in recognition of the outstanding work that we have undertaken in this field. This work would not have been completed without Okey’s leadership and dedication for this group of staff.

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