A BRADFORD nurse from the Philippines who left her family and children behind to make a better life for them has spoken of how the city has become her home.
Sister Raquel Licas is one of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s (BTHFT) longest-serving Filipino nurses.
The Trust, which includes Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s, has a strong and loyal group of Filipino nurses and other support staff.
Some were among the first arrivals from the Philippines in 2000, answering a call to support the NHS.
They now make up the largest group of overseas nurses at the Trust and have made immense sacrifices to forge a better life for their families.
Raquel, who is also a staff governor and deputy chair of the Trust’s Race Equality Staff Inclusion Networkm (RESIN) made the journey to Bradford in 2002, leaving behind her husband and three young children.
“I heard about the NHS offering jobs to Filipino nurses by word of mouth,” she said.
“They particularly wanted us because the standard of nursing in the Philippines is very similar to the UK and we all speak English.
“Leaving my family, especially my children, was very hard, but I knew that to help my children have a good future and go on and do well, I had to go abroad to work as I could earn much better pay to support them.
“I was so sad when I first came to work in Bradford, but it got better when I moved to Bradford Royal Infirmary as many Filipinos were here already. Soon my husband and children were able to come here, and Bradford became our home.”
Her colleague and friend, Sister Marsha Aguilar, first left the Philippines to work in Singapore, then to Bradford when the UK called for nurses.
“I love being a nurse here – doing my job well and making a contribution to getting patients better,” she said.
The Trust marked more than 20 years of service by its Filipino colleagues with a celebration of their culture and customs.
Karen Dawber, chief nurse at the Trust, said: “I am grateful and humbled by the sacrifice these staff have made to be a core part of the BTHFT family and thank them for both their personal and professional support.
“We are absolutely delighted to have them and all their colleagues here, making a difference with their care, kindness and compassion.”
The Trust said it would love to welcome Filipino and other overseas nurses to join its team. Visit: https://www.bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk/ or email details to: WorkForUs@bthft.nhs.uk
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