Staff and patients from across QEQM Hospital in Margate star in an advert as part of the biggest NHS recruitment drive in its 70 year history.
The ‘We are the NHS’ campaign, which was also filmed at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, highlights the extraordinary work that staff across EKHUFT do every single day.
It is being shown as a TV advert, across social media and at bus stops and tube stations.
As one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a population of over one million people, EKHUFT was chosen to show the care, cutting-edge treatments, research, innovations and life-saving operations that the campaign needed.
The campaign aims to increase the total number of applications into the NHS by 22,000 as well as double the numbers of nurses returning to practice and improve retention of staff in all sectors.
Caroline Mackenzie, a Surgical Matron who is one of the stars of the campaign, said: “I wanted to be a nurse since I was eight years old, as I saw the nurses who supported my granny as she was dying. I began training in the 1980s, and have worked at the William Harvey ever since.
“I have been a nurse for 32 years, and every day is completely different but I love my job as much as I did when I was 18.
“I am keen to encourage others to take up a career in the NHS; it is diverse, there’s always something to learn and you can give so much. The opportunities are all around you.”
There are over 350 careers available within the NHS.
Susan Acott, (pictured) East Kent Hospitals Chief Executive, added: “We have amazing staff here at East Kent Hospitals and this campaign has been a great opportunity for them to show the fantastic job they do every day to care for patients.
“Our nurses, doctors and therapists are superb, as are our admin staff and all the other people that support our clinicians and make the hospitals run.
“I hope the campaign will inspire more people to want to join the NHS and in particular come and work in east Kent.”
If you are interested in joining EKHUFT, visit www.ekhuft.nhs.uk
Shortage of nurses nationally caused by low wages , also Tories cutting bursaries for training has put off many, so much so some nurses use food banks !
You just cannot keep blaming the conservative party for everything in the End ovEr the years both the main parties have made decisions that affect the NHS not always the right ones
In 1980 I was one of hundreds of nurses, midwives and health visitors asked to attend a special meeting of the NMHV Council. We were told that due to a shortfall in births it was feared there wouldn’t be enough nurses to properly staff the NHS in the future. Suggestions on what to do to help with this problem were asked for, and ideas given ranged from lowering the educational standard to allowing more menergy into jobs usually held by women; you’ve heard of male midwives, right? Now in 70th anniversary year the NHS is again trying to recruit for many jobs in the Service and I do hope people will respond; it’s a worthwhile job with many rewards and is different everyday.