19 new nurses and 2 new speech and language therapists

The GHA has recruited 19 newly qualified registered nurses and two Speech and Language Therapists.

Eighteen of the nurses took up their posts last month, working across St Bernard’s Hospital and community services, while another has joined Elderly Residential Services.

The two newly qualified Speech and Language Therapists are returning Gibraltarian students who completed their degrees abroad.

The Government says their recruitment will strengthen a service which has historically been difficult to recruit for and reduce reliance on overseas recruitment.

Meanwhile, a new Healthcare Workforce Strategic Group will hold its first meeting later this month.

It will bring together the Government, GHA, University of Gibraltar and other agencies to plan for students currently studying healthcare-related subjects who are expected to return to Gibraltar in the coming years.

Health Minister Gemma Arias-Vasquez says workforce planning needs to take place years in advance, with the aim of ensuring locally trained professionals can find opportunities within Gibraltar’s health and care services.