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Maitland Hospital has received a welcome injection of healthcare talent with 28 new registered nurses joining the team, following a successful international recruitment drive by the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD). These nurses, recruited from the United Kingdom and Ireland, are part of a larger cohort of over 140 highly skilled professionals set to bolster healthcare services across the Hunter and New England regions.
These new arrivals bring a wealth of experience in key areas such as emergency medicine, surgery, intensive care, and paediatrics, having worked at some of the most specialised hospitals in the UK. Maitland Hospital, which received the highest number of placements in the Hunter Valley, is already benefiting from the boost in staff, helping to address ongoing workforce shortages in regional healthcare.
Upon arrival, the nurses and their families were greeted by local health officials and provided with accommodation in the region. A structured orientation, along with a mentorship program, is in place to ensure the new recruits feel supported as they transition into their roles within the District’s hospitals.
This international recruitment drive is one of several strategies employed by HNELHD to strengthen its workforce. Additional initiatives include the hiring of more than 250 graduate nurses and midwives, as well as rural health incentives aimed at attracting and retaining healthcare workers in regional areas.
Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison, extended a warm welcome to the new nurses, noting the critical need for healthcare professionals in the region.
“We are thrilled to have these experienced nurses join us here in Maitland,” Aitchison said. “They bring a wealth of expertise that will undoubtedly benefit our local hospital and community.”
“The shortage of healthcare workers in regional areas like ours has been a significant challenge, and this international recruitment drive is an important step in addressing it. Coupled with the NSW Government’s efforts to increase staffing and expand services at Maitland Hospital, we are committed to ensuring that everyone in our community has access to quality healthcare.”
Since coming into office, the NSW Minns Labor Government has expanded healthcare services in the region, with a 10% increase in staffing at the new Maitland Hospital, the opening of the Short Stay Unit in the Emergency Department, and the expansion of HARA Ambulances.
The recruitment of overseas nurses marks the latest in a series of efforts to improve healthcare outcomes in regional New South Wales, with more international nurses expected to arrive in the coming months.
HNELHD continues to assist remaining overseas nurses with the immigration and visa process, ensuring a steady influx of skilled workers into the region. As part of the broader recruitment strategy, the District is also working on initiatives such as school-based training programs and financial support for tertiary education in nursing, aimed at building a sustainable healthcare workforce for the future.
Maitland and other hospitals across the Hunter region can expect continued improvements in staffing and services, as these new nurses and other recruits settle into their roles, strengthening healthcare access for local communities.
Written by: Newy Staff
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