Friday 1 March marks Overseas NHS Workers Day, a day to recognises the extraordinary contribution that people who’ve moved or migrated to the UK make to our health service – as well as to healthcare globally. At CGHP we acknowledge the particular contribution overseas staff make to health partnerships between the UK and low- and middle-income countries. By participating in partnerships – often with their country of heritage – these staff bring unrivalled cultural understanding and awareness, as well as the unique skills and experience gained through their previous work and training overseas.
Margaret Baron is a resuscitation officer with Resuscitation Services at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. She is originally from the Philippines and has worked in the NHS for six years.
“The ability to teach was the most valuable skill I brought with me to the UK. I have always been passionate about being a nurse, but even more enthusiastic about being an educator. I am just so glad that I can be both. In the Philippines, I did postgraduate education at the same time as delivering life support courses by the American Heart Association. It allowed me to be versatile in my teaching strategies especially as I was exposed to different healthcare professionals, with different learning needs and styles. When I got to the UK, opportunity and preparedness met. CUH has very diverse staff and through my experience I am able to adapt and connect well with my learners.”
Margaret has found great satisfaction in her career in the UK. “My job allows me to teach and, practice what I teach. As well as delivering courses, I am expected to attend to cardiac arrest calls. The skills I bring to work every day – including safe defibrillation, emergency medication administration and airways management – make me a valuable member of the cardiac arrest team and bridge the gap in what I used to do back home.”
A repeat volunteer with support from Cambridge Global Health Partnerships, Margaret is passionate about training others and sharing knowledge to improve healthcare practices back home in the Philippines. “Volunteering through CGHP is such a great way of giving back to my home country, to whom I owe my training, and a massive part of who and what I am now. In my experience back home, education can be stressful and the motivation to learn can be driven out by fear of embarrassment. By volunteering through CGHP, I’ve been able to share a safe, non-threatening, non-intimidating way of educating, which has been a breath of fresh air for my learners in the Philippines.”
Margaret’s motivation to participate in global health is both personal and professional. “By choosing the Philippines as the recipient of my initiatives, I am helping to improve the healthcare system and give my loved ones the best chance of hopefully getting the best and safest care everyone deserves.”
“Professionally, I feel more accomplished for extending my skills beyond my place of work, and for stimulating positive changes. By sharing a bit of my time and effort, I contribute to safety in healthcare, which is the main reason I want to do more global health work. I am very fortunate to be in a country where safety is paramount, and where there is very high regard to life, regardless of socio-economic status.”
To anyone considering global health work, Margaret is a firm believer in its value. “The impact it gives us and the recipients is immeasurable and is something that no amount of money can ever compensate for. It is not easy. It takes a bit of hard work, sacrifice and preparation, but the effect is long-lasting, and people never forget the kindness you show by offering your time and effort.
“In CUH, there are many Filipino staff members, and not just limited to the nursing profession. I can only imagine the impact of more of us participating in global health: how uplifting and empowering it would be for the Philippines to benefit from initiatives that improve the quality of healthcare.”
Interested in participating in global health but not sure where to begin? Find out about the support, advice and funding CGHP offers you or email us anytime time at info@cghp.org.uk.
To find out more about the significant contribution diaspora staff make to the NHS and global health, and the work of the Diaspora Network for Global Health, read THET’s policy report ‘Experts in our Midst‘.
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