WUTH Celebrates Overseas NHS Workers Day
Wirral University Teaching Hospital (WUTH) is celebrating Overseas NHS Workers Day this week, recognising the dedication, skill, and diversity that international staff bring to the organisation. With a workforce representing 61 countries, WUTH values the global perspectives that enrich patient care and workplace culture.
For Ololade Adeniji, a 27-year-old HR Advisor, joining the NHS was an unexpected but fulfilling journey. Born into a Nigerian royal family, her original path pointed towards international law before she discovered a passion for human resources.
“I fell into HR during an internship and realised how much I enjoyed working with people, problem-solving, and making a real impact on workplace culture,” she said. “I love working at WUTH because I have an amazing team. It’s a diverse and dynamic environment where people are encouraged to innovate and grow.”
Ololade is just one of the many international professionals who have found a home at WUTH.
Sharon Landrum, Head of People Experience, emphasised the Trust’s commitment to its global workforce.
She said: “We are committed to supporting our international family to thrive and are privileged to have a diverse workforce that brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and innovative ideas that enhance patient care and our staff community.”
For Caitlynne Lancaster, 28, moving from Los Angeles to the UK was a life-changing experience.
She said: “I came to the UK for a study abroad programme and loved it so much that I returned for my Masters in library and information studies. I thought I had to abandon my medical interests when I didn’t pursue medicine, but becoming an NHS Librarian showed me another path.”
While she enjoys the UK’s accessibility and transport links, adapting to cultural differences has been an ongoing process.
She said: “I’m still adjusting—from navigating the NHS as a patient after experiencing the complexities of the American healthcare system to remembering that I need to look for courgettes instead of zucchini at the grocery store.”
Offering her own advice to others moving abroad, she said: “Make connections. Homesickness never fully goes away, but building a network of friends makes it easier.”
For Lodoe Gyaltsen, 34, a Clinical Support Worker from Tibet, joining WUTH in 2021 provided stability and a welcoming team.
He said: “People warned me about culture shock, but I didn’t experience it—maybe because I always keep a positive outlook on life.”
Diversity is more than just representation for Nathalia Aguilera, a digital communications manager from Colombia, —it’s a driver of innovation. As co-chair of the Multicultural Staff Network, she has seen first-hand how international staff strengthen the NHS.
Nathalia added: “Leading the network has allowed me to connect with people from all backgrounds and celebrate what makes us unique. Our different perspectives make us stronger as a team and as a hospital.”
For Ololade, diversity is a key driver of success in any organisation.
She said: “International employees bring unique skills, fresh ideas, and different ways of thinking. They help organisations innovate and create a more global outlook. In today’s interconnected world, that’s essential.”
As Overseas NHS Workers Day is marked nationwide, WUTH is proud to honour and celebrate the contributions of its global workforce, whose dedication continues to shape the future of healthcare.