Category: Workplace Relations

Career Guidance, Fun Stuff, Homecare/Healthcare, Workplace Relations

How to Support Men’s Health this November

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider
The Nursing and Midwifery Council and Supporting Information

How to Support Men’s Health this November

Movember, the global movement that has taken the world by storm, encourages men to grow moustaches during the month of November. This movement raises awareness about how to support men’s health, particularly prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health problems. In the United Kingdom, this movement has gained significant traction, and this can especially be seen in how the National Health Service (NHS) has created strategies in support of this cause. They address the critical health challenges faced by men, encouraging open conversations and fostering a sense of community.

This awareness highlights the importance of early detection and treatment and emphasises the significance of mental well-being in overall health. It’s aim is to create a brighter, healthier future for men all over.

Did You Know?

Men’s life expectancy is 3.7 years less than females. 
Men go to the doctor less than women. 
Men are 3 times more likely to die from suicide, than women.  

How the NHS is Supporting Men's Health this November

The NHS has created a toolkit designed to help NHS organisations reduce the risk of suicide in their workforce. It will assist organisations to embed suicide prevention strategies in their health and wellbeing policies and guide the approach to supporting those at risk of suicide within the workforce.

Suicide does not discriminate, it affects NHS staff too. In fact some healthcare professions are at a higher risk of suicide than other professional groups.

For information and resources to support health and wellbeing, visit the NHS England website.

There are a number of ways individuals and healthcare professionals can contribute to this very important cause. This involves awareness, fundraising, and proactive involvement.

Raise Awareness:

  • Social media, community events and workplace discussions can be used to spread the word.
  • Educational seminars can be organised, as well as workshops and awareness campaigns in healthcare facilities, to inform people about the importance of regular health check-ups, early detection, and mental health support.

Fundraising Activities:

  • Organise work fundraising events such as charity runs, walks, or other fun events, with the proceeds going towards men’s health initiatives. This is a great way to encourage everyone to join in.
  • Encourage patients and community members to donate to reputable men’s health organisations, including those affiliated with Movember and the NHS. This brings up conversations surrounding men’s health within the community.

Promote Healthy Lifestyles:

  • Offer workshops and resources on adopting a healthy lifestyle
  • This can include information on regular exercise and a balanced diet.
  • Advise on ways to manage stress, such as exercise and meditation, which can significantly contribute to men’s overall well-being.

Education and Training:

  • Provide training for healthcare professionals to enhance their understanding of men’s health concerns, ensuring they can provide appropriate guidance and support to patients.
  • Develop informational materials specifically addressing men’s health issues for distribution in healthcare facilities and community centers.

Servisource Healthcare and Supporting Employee Health

How the NHS is Supporting Men's Health this November

Our partnership with Zevo Health provides employees with access to the Zevo App, offering meditations, recipes, challenges, fitness plans, and mental health resources. Monthly Wellness Webinars cover a range of topics, ensuring our support meets diverse needs. Participation in Ireland’s Fittest Workplaces and Company-Wide Steps Challenges encourages physical activity and camaraderie among employees. Mental Health Champion Training equips selected employees with the skills to support their colleagues’ mental wellbeing.

At Servisource, we believe that a healthy workforce is a happy and productive one allowing us to provide the right people with the right skills and knowledge in the right place.

By fostering open conversations and raising awareness, barriers can be broken down, encouraging men to prioritise their health. Active participation in Movember, through activities like growing moustaches and organising fundraising events, empowers communities to contribute to vital research and support services.

Collaborations between healthcare facilities, professionals, and mental health experts ensure that men receive the necessary guidance and assistance, while promoting healthy lifestyles and regular check-ups. This fosters a future where preventable diseases are detected early, and mental health challenges are met with understanding and compassion. Together, we can make a lasting difference, transforming the landscape of men’s health.

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Career Guidance, Clients, Homecare/Healthcare, Jobs for Nurses, Workplace Relations

Retaining International Staff and the NHS’s Toolkit for NHS Employers

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider
Retaining International Staff and the NHS's Toolkit for NHS Employers

Retaining International Staff and the NHS’s Toolkit for NHS Employers

The National Health Service (NHS) is the biggest employer in Europe, with a high concentration of international staff. It recognises the importance of ensuring these employees feel valued and supported. This is why it has created an International Retention Toolkit which outlines actions employers can take to ensure newly recruited staff will want to stay, thrive and build lasting careers in the NHS. At Servisource, we have created our own guide for employers to help them retain staff while supporting the ones they already have, that are in line with the NHS’s approach.

At Servisource

We believe in supporting new colleagues every step of the way. We manage all aspects of the recruitment process including interview scheduling, compliance checks, and even welcome international candidates to Ireland by meeting them at the airport by a Servisource employee together with a welcome pack. This contains a sim card for them to call loved ones back home to let them know they have arrived safely and allows new recruits to focus fully on what matters most, patient care.

Cultural orientation and support

Cultural orientation starts with acknowledging the different cultures present within the workforce and providing training to ensure that all staff understand the different cultures represented within. Organisations can provide comprehensive cultural orientation programs to help international staff acclimate to the new work environment, healthcare system, and the local community. This can be done in the following ways:

  • Language Training: for many new recruits, English is not their first language. Providing language training to these staff members will ensure they feel confident and equipped to provide the best possible care to their patients.
  • Cultural Workshops: provide a platform for new recruits to learn, share experiences, and understand the unique aspects of British culture, making it easier to work and communicate effectively with colleagues and patients.
  • Welcome Packs: these packs include helpful information about the local area, as well as details about the NHS and its policies. They could also contain practical items such as transportation maps and a guide to opening a bank account.
  • Discussing Skillsets: helps to understand each other’s strengths in order to identify areas where collaboration and support can be offered.

Did You Know?

The Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) data report for 2021–2022 shows that almost half of professionals joining the NMC register were trained outside the UK. 

Retaining International Staff and the NHS's Toolkit for NHS Employers

Mentorship and buddy programs

When international employees are paired with experienced mentors or buddies, they can receive guidance, support, and assistance in both professional and personal matters, making new recruits feel more connected and valued within the organisation. Mentors offer guidance and assistance, while buddies provide a more informal connection and can help with cultural differences. These can have many benefits such as:

  • Creating a friendly environment allowing new staff to feel comfortable asking new questions.
  • Leads to a happier and more effective workforce.
  • Helps to bridge cultural gaps and creates bonds between co-workers.
  • Allows for one-on-one training and mentoring which provides a more personal and effective approach to work.

The NHS has created an International Retention toolkit which aims to support the reduction in turnover of international staff by improving their experience at work. Their guide focuses on these four pillars:

1. Creating strong foundations.

2. Making new recruits feel welcome.

3. Building belonging.

4. Maximising personal and professional growth.

1. Creating strong foundations

The first pillar focuses on creating strong foundations in the months before new recruits arrive in the UK. Employers should consider how new recruits might feel as they prepare to leave behind friends, family, familiar surroundings, their native language, and cultures to start a new life in a different country. Welcome packs containing local information, maintaining contact such as pre-arrival welcomes, finding accommodation before their arrival, and mapping their skillsets in order to place them in their preferred clinical area.

2. Making new recruits feel welcome

This involves ensuring new recruits feel welcome when they arrive by helping them settle into their new communities by pointing them toward local services. Consider what they will need during their first few months in the UK to establish themselves to live, work, and beyond, such as: setting up bank accounts, National Insurance numbers, GP locations, somewhere to live, UK sim cards, access to shopping, schools, public transport and other amenities. 

3. Building belonging

This relies on cultural sensitivity and the feeling of working and living in a different country. Enabling your staff to build social networks, to share stories and solutions to these challenges can help to reduce feelings of isolation. It helps to create a supportive environment where they can bring their passions, culture, and personality to their role. 

4. Maximising personal and professional growth

This is about maximising personal and professional growth to ensure that all internationally recruited staff can fully realise their potential. They should have access to the same personal and professional development opportunities as the UK workforce and they should be tailored to each individual’s preferences and career aspirations. 

For further reading, podcasts, and case studies on these four pillars, visit the NHS website.

By implementing these strategies, a more supportive and inclusive work environment is created that promotes the retention of international staff, reduces turnover, and enhances the overall success of the organisation. Each employee’s experience is unique, so a personalised and empathetic approach is essential to address their specific needs and concerns. A positive and inclusive working environment that promotes staff retention is then created, so that patients continue to receive the high-quality care they expect from the NHS and other healthcare organisations.

Are you looking for an International Healthcare Recruiter ?

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Blog, Homecare/Healthcare, Jobs for Nurses, Workplace Relations

The Role of a Medical Staffing Agency in the Healthcare Industry

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider

The Role of a Medical Staffing Agency in the Healthcare Industry

The healthcare industry is ever evolving and this means it can be challenging for those managing medical staffing needs. From finding reliable, skilled professionals in a timely manner to managing locum contracts, the services of a reliable agency can help with this. An experienced provider will understand your organisation’s individual needs and requirements, work with you to meet them, all while meeting recruiting deadlines so patients receive quality care in a timely fashion. The role of a medical staffing agency in the healthcare industry is varied and cannot be underestimated.

Did You Know?

In the last five years, the number of international graduates joining the UK medical workforce has increased by 40%. This demonstrates how much international recruitment is growing. 

Nurse pointing and The Role of a Medical Staffing Agency in the Healthcare Industry

Recruitment and placement

The main role of a staffing agency is to recruit and place qualified professionals in various healthcare facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes and clinics. With their extensive databases of professionals suitable for all types of positions, they find qualified candidates, conduct screenings and lead background checks. They also verify credentials in order to match them with suitable job opportunities. This in turn, saves organisations time on resources in finding and hiring qualified staff.

They allow facilities to obtain a varied workforce that can cater to diverse patient needs. By providing access to a diverse group of candidates, agencies enable a more inclusive work environment where everyone can get the care they need.

Permanent Staffing Solutions at Servisource

• We use the right skills and knowledge to interview, screen and vet candidates from around the world.
• Our team conduct all necessary compliance, educational and police checks, and offer visa assistance and onboarding help if needed.
• Our technology allows us to recruit the right people in the right place quickly and efficiently.

Flexibility and temporary staff

The healthcare industry can be unpredictable in terms of fluctuations in workers, especially during pandemics, flu seasons, staff vacations, unexpected absences and sudden increases in patient volumes. Agencies are vital in helping to obtain flexible staff during hectic times at short notice in order to meet these demands. By maintaining a pool of temporary staff, professionals can be deployed quickly to fill short-term gaps. This allows facilities to maintain optimal care for patients and minimises disruptions in patient services.

Healthcare professionals can enjoy the flexibility of choosing their work schedules, assignments, and locations based on their preferences and expertise. They have the support of the agency who can look after their needs and the needs of the facility they are employed at.

Industry regulation expertise

They are experts at navigating industry regulations and compliance requirements. The stay up to date with licensing, credentialing and certification standards. This is done to ensure that the professionals they place meet all necessary legal and regulatory requirements. When it comes to employment laws, healthcare policies and privacy regulations, they know how to handle all of this. By partnering with an agency, organisations can rely on their expertise in making sure their workforce is compliant, reducing the risk of legal and regulatory issues.

It includes understanding the fundamental legal frameworks related to healthcare, such as the HSE who is the national independent regulator for health and safety in the workplace. They must also keep up-to-date with changes to these regulations and be able to train their staff accordingly. It is essential that they have a comprehensive understanding of regulatory compliance in order to be able to provide their clients with the best possible healthcare solutions.

healthcare staff and The Role of a Medical Staffing Agency in the Healthcare Industry

With the rising demand for healthcare services and the high cost of in-house staff recruitment, agencies are an invaluable asset to this industry. Not only do they provide qualified professionals to fill important and urgent roles, they also save employers time and money by helping them to find, hire, and train talented workers quickly and reliably.

They secure staff with the necessary skillsets required for the specific position. As hospitals strive to meet their needs while staying within budgetary restrictions and regulations, a medical staffing agency delivers smarter solutions for top quality healthcare staff to give you the right people with the right skills and knowledge in the right place.

Are you looking for a reputable staffing agency?

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Career Guidance, Homecare/Healthcare, Jobs for Nurses, Workplace Relations

The Benefits of Locum Work for Healthcare Professionals

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider
Elderly woman and nurse

The Benefits of Locum Work for Healthcare Professionals

A locum is defined as a person who temporarily fulfils another individual’s duties. If you are a healthcare professional looking for an exciting and rewarding opportunity, then this type of work could be the perfect fit. Practitioners can enjoy increased autonomy over their career while earning competitive rates and gaining expertise from different institutions. There are a range of benefits of locum work for healthcare professionals, which can help you decide if it is right for you.

Did You Know?

The role of locum GPs in the UK healthcare system in 2023 is becoming increasingly important as the demand for GP services continues to rise.
With an aging population, the pressure on GP practices is greater than ever.

Doctor and patient smiling together and The Benefits of Locum Work for Healthcare Professionals

Flexibility

Flexibility is a huge factor within the healthcare profession, allowing practitioners to have more control over their schedules and workloads. This is because they can choose when and where they work.

Practitioners are often hired to cover short-term gaps in staffing due to: vacations, illnesses and transfers. They may need to travel to different parts of the country, instead of being tied to a single employer. It allows them to work for different organisations while gaining valuable experience and exposure to different aspects of healthcare.

This flexibility means they can take breaks between assignments which allows them to recharge after a particularly demanding schedule. Having this flexibility enables them to pursue other interests or spend more time with family and friends. It gives them a better work/life balance enabling them to pursue their personal goals and hobbies.

Variety

With this line of employment, there is opportunity to work in a variety of settings such as: hospitals, clinics, emergency departments, as well as GP surgeries. It can be a great way to expand skillsets and gain experience. Healthcare is a dynamic field that offers many opportunities for practitioners looking to explore different areas of expertise.

The option to travel and work in different geographical locations is available while gaining valuable experience and knowledge along the way. With so many different specialisations in healthcare, this varied environment can mean moving from say pediatrics to geriatrics which makes this type of employment exciting and can also help healthcare workers broaden their horizons.

They will meet new challenges while providing the best care possible to patients, no matter where they are located. This means that that no two days are the same. Working in healthcare can be one of the most rewarding careers out there, but it can also be quite demanding. For those who crave variety in their work life, it is a great option to consider, enhancing your CV and ultimately your employability.

Servisource Healthcare assists temp workers to become fully compliant to work at client sites, priding ourselves on building trusted relationships with all of our staff.

Benefits of Temp Work with Servisource

–Work/life Balance: Temporary work has a wealth of benefits including flexibility with hours to facilitate further study or to achieve a better work/life balance.
–Training: Consistent, cost-effective training through our partnered training company.
-Flexibility: Zapp, is Servisource’s innovative, personally accessible, mobile-friendly, time management app. It allows workers to focus on what really matters, patient care.

healthcare staff and The Benefits of Locum Work for Healthcare Professionals

Higher Pay

There has been an increasing demand for experienced practitioners in recent years, leading to higher pay and greater opportunities. It often offers pay at higher rates than permanent staff. This is because they are filling a temporary need and have the option to work longer hours or cover more shifts. It has become a valuable resource for healthcare practitioners seeking a higher income.

By taking on temporary positions in hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities, doctors and nurses can earn a significant income boost. It provides valuable experience and exposure to different healthcare settings along with higher pay leading to a greater sense of job satisfaction. It means they have the ability to earn more money on their terms, without sacrificing their work/life balance.

Networking Opportunities

Networking is a crucial part of any industry, and healthcare is no exception. Healthcare practitioners are able to build their network and develop relationships with other professionals while keeping up-to-date with industry trends.

It is important to take advantage of networking opportunities in order to expand your knowledge and connections within the industry. It offers the chance to work across various specialties with different organisations and teams. Meeting new colleagues, connecting with other professionals, and discovering new technologies and techniques can all help to expand professional horizons.

It also provides the opportunity to gain exposure to diverse patient populations and healthcare systems. With healthcare constantly evolving and changing, staying connected with others in the industry is essential in order to stay informed and up-to-date with the latest developments. By building relationships with these individuals, you may gain access to future job opportunities or partnerships.

temporary nursing medical team and The Benefits of Locum Work for Healthcare Professionals

This type of employment offers a unique and rewarding opportunity for healthcare practitioners to progress within their career path. With the potential to work flexible hours and travel, workers can build up experience and gain valuable skills and knowledge along the way. It is an easy way to boost your resume, expand your network, and of course, provide essential short-term care services to those in need. With higher rates of pay and a better work/life balance compared to other healthcare work, it is a very appealing option, broadening horizons and creating a meaningful impact within the industry.

Register with Servisource Healthcare today.

Servisource Healthcare Temp

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