Today (7 March), marks NHS Overseas Workers Day. At its heart, this day serves to recognise and celebrate the incredible contributions of international workers to the NHS. 

As the new Council Member for London region, it’s a day of personal importance to me: I moved to the UK from the Philippines in 1999 and have worked in the NHS ever since. As the first Filipino member to sit on RCN Council, I want to raise the voices of my Filipino peers and colleagues from the global majority.  

The origins of NHS Overseas Workers Day lie in the Covid-19 pandemic, which had a disproportionate impact on staff from the global majority. Despite comprising only 3.8% of the nursing workforce, Filipinos accounted for 22% of Covid-19 deaths during the first wave of the pandemic – more than any other nationality.   

'I want to raise the voices of my Filipino peers'

Seeing the inequity and devastating impact of the pandemic on my fellow colleagues from the global majority has inspired me to get more involved with the RCN. This did not come naturally to me: Asian communities are often stereotyped as quiet, hardworking, uncomplaining and respectful of hierarchy. On a personal level, I’m not an activist by nature.  

But seeing the impact of the pandemic has spurred me into action. In fact, after being a member of the RCN for nearly 25 years, I attended my first Congress in Wales last year. Attending Congress awakened an activism inside me, which led me to run for Council. Earlier this year, in recognition of my role and advocacy work I was awarded an MBE for services to nursing. 

As London region’s RCN Council member, I want to make sure that the voices of our global majority members are heard and I will continue to raise our profile nationally. As a profession, diversity is our strength. While working in the NHS, I’ve witnessed first-hand how international nursing colleagues go the extra mile so that they can deliver the best care possible to patients, often in difficult circumstances. All too often our work has been overlooked, at times leading to us feeling invisible, putting us at a disadvantage when it comes to opportunities for  career progression and senior leadership roles.  

'Diversity is our strength'

Having lived in London for more than 20 years, I  know that many international colleagues are increasingly struggling with the cost of living in the capital, alongside navigating the government’s complex immigration policies. I want to highlight the issues international members are facing in London, and campaign for better conditions for the whole nursing workforce . 

This NHS Overseas Workers Day, I’m hopeful. From the most awful of circumstances, the pandemic has lit a fire inside me and many of my international nursing colleagues. We need to be more visible, ensure our voices are heard, and claim the recognition we deserve.