Features

Irish in the NHS: 'People hear the accent and feel you're somebody who cares'

WE meet some of the many Irish staff who are proud to work in Britain’s National Health Service…

Josie Gladney, 44, is a matron for medical specialties originally from Co. Carlow

“You will hear an Irish accent wherever you go in this hospital. They will be on a ward, in administration and right through to the deputy chief nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists.

“I think that people hear the Irish accent and feel like it is somebody who cares, somebody who will comfort me, who will listen to me. I think they feel instantly reassured.

“I trained in Ireland, but left after six months because there was no work, so I have grown up in the NHS really. I came in 1992 and the world seemed like a bigger place then. It was difficult and I felt like I was quite a home bird, so it was a big decision and a bit heart-wrenching. I was crying and couldn’t see my way out of Dublin airport.

“But my mother said ‘just go for six months to see what it is like’ and that is 22 years ago. The minute I arrived and met friends who were already working in the NHS I thought ‘I’ll be fine here’.

“Today I still feel like I have the same passion and compassion that I had when I started as a young nurse. That is what gets me up in the morning. Each day is different as well. You meet so many people.

“I cannot speak highly enough of how I feel about the NHS. This is a fantastic place to work and throughout my career here I think I have gotten opportunities I would not have gotten in Ireland.”