A CAMPAIGN has been launched showcasing and celebrating NHS healthcare support workers across the region.

Employees have been sharing their stories as part of the initiative, which aims to spotlight to people of all working ages the career opportunities available.

Healthcare support workers carry out a wide range of duties, in settings including hospitals, GP practices and the community.

In the NHS North East and Yorkshire region, there are more than 26,000 healthcare support workers.

Figures show that during the past year, over 6,000 people have joined NHS organisations regionally in healthcare support worker roles, 2,700 of whom were new to the health sector.

Also, data reveals there are now 18 per cent more male healthcare support workers regionally than in January, 2020, and there’s been a 96 per cent increase in workers from ethnic minorities.

Margaret Kitching, regional chief nurse, says: "One of the ambitions of the healthcare support worker programme is to recruit people wishing to start a career in the NHS from outside the health and care sectors.

"The NHS seeks to attract people at all stages of their working lives who have transferable skills and experiences. In recent years people have become healthcare support workers from sectors including retail and hospitality, and from small businesses and airline cabin crew. The role has also attracted people seeking to change career in mid-life or after early retirement.

"Currently, some students are finalising their choices before entering further or higher education, and I would also encourage them to consider this role as a gateway to a career in the NHS."

She adds: "We are celebrating the role of the healthcare support worker by sharing the stories of those who’ve been attracted to the position through a sense of purpose, and showcasing the positive impact they make on patients’ lives.

"Healthcare support workers carry out a range of important roles including healthcare assistant, nursing assistant, theatre support worker and maternity support worker.

"They play a vital part in providing excellent care to patients in NHS settings such as hospitals and GP practices, and in people’s homes.

"They take patients’ medical observations including temperature, pulse, respiration and weight. They also help patients with social and physical activities, personal care, mobility, at meal times and with booking appointments and other tasks.

"The healthcare support worker role can also lead to a range of other NHS career opportunities."

For more details, visit healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/healthcare-support-worker/roles-healthcare-support-worker/healthcare-support-worker.