A “seismic shift that reverberates through the entire Filipino nursing diaspora” is how one single, significant development last month has been described.
That event was the appointment of Oliver Soriano as director of nursing and quality at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, making him the first Filipino nurse to hold such a post.
As well as his geological analogy, Jerome Babate, executive director of the global body the Filipino Nursing Diaspora Network, described Mr Soriano’s promotion as “breaking through the glass ceiling”.
“This is not just a win for Mr Soriano, it’s a win for every Filipino nurse who has ever dreamt of reaching the upper echelons of healthcare leadership,” he said in an article for Nursing Times.
Arriving in the UK 25 years ago, Mr Soriano first joined the Nursing and Midwifery Council register as an adult nurse in 1999, before then also registering as a mental health nurse in 2002.
“I believe that it will not be long before he is joined by others in similar such roles”
In spite of regular promotions after that, Mr Soriano told Nursing Times that he was at first hesitant to apply when the post of executive chief nurse became available, which I thought was interesting.
Indicating the importance of allies, he said it was the encouragement of his colleagues and his long-standing mentor, a chief nurse at his former trust, that made him submit his application.
Being the first at anything comes with extra responsibility as a representative and added pressure to succeed but I believe that it will not be long before he is joined by others in similar such roles.
Other trailblazers include University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust’s hospital nursing director, Edmund Tabay, who was previously the most senior Filipino nurse in the health service.
May Parsons, the former matron who administered the first Covid-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial, and who is now associate chief nurse at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, is another.
As well, Louie Horne is deputy assistant director of nursing for musculoskeletal and special surgery services at East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust, and currently on secondment to NHS England.
In May this year, Ms Horne became the first Filipino nurse to carry the lamp at the annual Florence Nightingale commemoration service in St Paul’s Cathedral.
In addition, there is Ariel Lanada, president of the Filipino Nurses Association UK and divisional lead for practice development and education at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
They were among 400 internationally educated nurses and midwives, whose contribution to health and social care was celebrated last month at a Buckingham Palace reception hosted by the King.
They were also on the list of 75 nurses and midwives that Nursing Times highlighted as making a significant difference to the health service as part of our NHS anniversary celebrations in July.
And last week, Dr Paul John Alegado, a clinical educator at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, was named Overseas Nurse of the Year at the Nursing Times Workforce Awards.
The judging panel said he was clearly a valued colleague, who excelled in his role and provided guidance with empathy and lived experience, and who went above and beyond to engage.
“The health and care sector needs to recognise that and not just look at the numbers”
But this is to name but a few people who I happen to know of and my sincere apologies to all those Filipino staff I have not mentioned who are making a difference in so many ways every day.
Nearly two years ago now, I wrote about the massive contribution of nurses and midwives originally from the Philippines to the UK health and social care sector, and how it needed greater recognition.
As well as flagging some great role models leading the way, I urged all health and social care providers to recognise, celebrate and support the contribution of their Filipino nursing staff.
According to a report published last month by the House of Commons Library, the health service in England was employing 34,652 staff originally from the Philippines in June this year.
Of these, 25,477 were registered nurses and health visitors, making them the largest ethnic group after staff describing themselves as British or Indian, and that’s without those working in social care.
However, while some recognition has previously been forthcoming for their overall contribution to the health and social care workforce in terms of numbers, it has been slower to come in other ways.
These include recognition of management, experience, innovation and clinical skills, as well as for those individuals, like Mr Soriano, in key positions of leadership, who are making a difference.
Thankfully, positive changes appear to be happening faster now. There are truly inspirational people out there. The health and care sector needs to recognise that and not just look at the numbers.
I’ll leave the last word to Mr Soriano, who when asked by Nursing Times if he hoped to see more Filipino nurses in executive roles, said: “I’m just making the door wide open for people to come in.
“And I’m hoping that’s what I will be able to do in the coming years. By supporting them, I can bring them in, walk them in.”