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LOUIE HORNE BEM

Many congratulations to FNA-UK Learning and Development Coordinator, Louie Horne, who was awarded the British Empire Medal in the King's Birthday Honours.

The citation: Louie Carullo HORNE - Deputy Associate Director of Nursing, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard Clinical Research Fellow. For services to Nursing (Ipswich, Suffolk).

19 June 2023


UNTOLD STORIES OF FILIPINO NURSES:  ART EXHIBIT AND COMPETITION
FNA-UK concluded its art exhibition and competition, Untold Stories of Filipino Nurses in the UK, held at Hounslow Park during the Barrio Fiesta in London on June 10 and 11. The initiative aimed to highlight the exceptional experiences of Filipino nurses during the pandemic.  

Supported by the Mayor of London's office through the "Untold Stories Grant," FNA-UK showcased seven captivating artworks that depicted the resilience, dreams, and contributions of Filipino nurses. The exhibition aimed to diversify public spaces through the power of art, incorporating elements of both Filipino and UK culture.

Visitors were enthralled by the visually stimulating artworks, which included paintings and digital media formed after a series of workshops conducted by the organisers to develop their stories.

An online voting system allowed active engagement and support from the public.  Esteemed judges, including Dame Ruth May (Chief Nurse, NHS England), Prof Anton Emmanuel (Head of Workforce, Race, and Equality Standards, NHS England), and His Excellency, Teodoro Locsin Jr. (Philippine Ambassador to the UK), determined the winners.

The winners of the art competition were:

1st. "Roots of the Brave and Fallen" by Phoebe Inna Relacion
2nd. "The Blind Soldier" by Maynard Tolentino
3rd. "Across the Bridge" by Boyet Munoz

Cash prizes were awarded to the winners, and all participating artists were reimbursed for their expenses. Feedback from judges and the public was overwhelmingly positive, emphasising the powerful storytelling and creative expressions depicting nurses' experiences during the pandemic.

FNA-UK plans to display these impactful artworks in various participating hospitals within London NHS Trusts to raise awareness of the Filipino workforce's contributions. The success of the project is credited to the dedicated efforts of FNA-UK's regional directors in London, led by Marc Rodriguera, alongside other FNA-UK officers. Their commitment, along with support from members across the UK, ensured a successful launch.

The art exhibition was part of the London Barrio Fiesta, a festival celebrating Filipino culture. This year's event in Lampton Park, Hounslow, marked its relaunch after a temporary halt due to the pandemic, making the addition of the art exhibit even more significant. The festival also celebrates 125 years of Philippine independence.
 
To explore these breathtaking artworks and their descriptions, click on the images below, or visit FNA-UK social media accounts. Let us come together to celebrate the untold stories of Filipino nurses in the UK, supporting their remarkable contributions and recognising the power of art in sharing their journeys.
The top four artworks will soon be available to purchase , please register your interest by clicking the button to the right.

Roots of the Brave and Fallen by Phoebe Inna Relacion
The Blind Soldier by Maynard Tolentino
Across the Bridge by Boyet Munoz
Padayon  (“Keep Going’) by Jaydee Duquez

14 June 2023
Coming together, Sharing together, Working together, Succeeding together!
(Report on the 2-days team building activity of FNA-UK officers)

Susie Mamangon Lagrata


To welcome 2023, the officers and leaders of the Filipino Nurses Association-UK (FNA-UK) met for a two-day team building and work retreat aiming to map out plans for future activities of FNA-UK. The two days’ team building and work retreat held in Hilton Olympia, London, was an effective way for the officers to step out of daily routines and immerse in an environment in which quality time was spent to refresh and get reenergized to focus on plans and programmes that aims to benefit the FNA-UK community and beyond.

True to Filipino tradition, the activities commenced with sharing sumptuous Filipino food prepared by a Filipino chef pioneering Filipino food in the UK, Chef Rex De Guzman of Turo-Turo UK. The officers shared the much-loved Filipino dishes like pork barbeque, chicken inasal, lumpia, prawn,  pinoy veggies generously scattered on a bed of rice or, as we all call it, "boodle fight style". The highlight was the innovative dish called bagoong ginger wings - the successful innovation in creating the layers of flavour of this dish mirrors the innovations of FNA-UK in serving the Filipino nursing community in the UK. It was indeed a "busog-lusog experience.

From Soho, the group turned heads as they cut through the busy streets of London, proudly donning their FNA-UK hoodie to get to their second bonding activity, watching "Tina: The Tina Turner West End Musical". It was a superb production which chronicles Tina Turner's self-actualization and was extremely entertaining. The show has exceptional moments of choreography, acting, and powerful song renditions, including the stunning closing number. The officers let loose when towards the end of the show, the entire cast prompted the entire audience to jump to our feet for an electrifying dance and sing along. It's Simply the Best!

The second day started early at 7.30 am for the more serious business during the breakfast meeting. Uninterrupted time was spent brainstorming and updating, focused on the subject matter – improving support for our IEN's and nurse empowerment. There were thought-provoking discussions and respectful exchanges of opinions, which concluded with firm plans for the FNA -UK community for this year and beyond. The relaxing ambience and rapport between officers sparked new imaginative ideas and creativity to keep the energy and momentum of the team.

The two-days retreat was so much more than a productive meeting. It was also a much-needed get together to relax, laugh, network and reconnect.

10 April 2023
WRES Symposium and Quizbee Final 12-10-2022
NURSES AND MIDWIVES GROUPS ANDS ASSOCIATION
1st  UK NATIONAL QUIZBEE
SEMI-FINALS - 7 September 2022


SEMI-FINAL RESULTS

1. Philippine Nurses Association (PNAUK)
2. Filipino Community Birmingham
3. Oxford University Hospitals NHSFT

The successful teams go forward to the finals in October.



   
18 August 2022

ARIEL LANADA Appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire

FNA-UK President, Ariel Lanada, is deeply honoured to have been appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, the county where he lives and works.
The appointment has been made by the Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Mrs Marjorie Neasham Glasgow BEM.
The essential role of the Lord-Lieutenant is to represent The Queen in the county.  The Lord-Lieutenant meets and attends any Member of the Royal Family and visiting heads of state.  The Lord-Lieutenant advises The Queen on local matters, carries out a variety of duties, mainly ceremonial connected with the Armed Forces, presents certain medals and awards and is the Chief Magistrate of the county, giving leadership to the justices of the peace.

The Lord-Lieutenant promotes civic and community life in the county, giving encouragement to the voluntary sector and takes an active interest in local industry.

The Lord-Lieutenant appoints the Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenants. The Deputy Lieutenants assist the Lord-Lieutenant and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant with performing their duties.  Ariel is also Chairman of the Filipino Community of Oxfordshire.

8 August 2022
NHS GEORGE CROSS

A message from Amanda Pritchard, NHS England Chief Executive
          
Dear colleague,

 Photo: Aaron Chown/PA Media

Today I had the great honour, alongside May Parsons,  the nurse who delivered the world's first COVID-19 vaccination outside a clinical trial, of receiving the George Cross on behalf of our incredible 1.5   million NHS colleagues in England.  [Editor's note: May is a FNA-UK Regional Director for the West Midlands.]
          
We were joined by the chief executives of the NHS in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and colleagues representing the NHS front line.  The award was presented at Windsor Castle by Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.

 Photo: Aaron Chown/PA Media
   
The George Cross, the highest civilian award for gallantry, recognises the incredible dedication, courage, compassion and skill shown by NHS staff – from nurses and doctors to porters, cleaners, therapists and countless other roles – over more than seven decades, particularly in the face of the Covid pandemic.

This is only the third time the George Cross has been given to a collective body since its introduction in 1940, and it is granted in recognition of “acts of the greatest heroism or of the most courage in circumstances of extreme danger”.
          
I see these incredible qualities put into action by NHS colleagues every day, not least by caring for more than three quarters of a million patients with Covid, rolling out the biggest and most successful vaccination programme in our history and delivering the most ambitious catch up programme to tackle the backlogs that have inevitably built up.
      
 Photo: Aaron Chown/PA Media

It feels particularly special to receive the George Cross in the year leading up to the 75th birthday of the Health service, and just one week after recognising the outstanding work of individuals and teams from across the entire health and care landscape, through our annual NHS Parliamentary Awards.

As has always been the case throughout the NHS’s history, remarkable innovation and unwavering commitment were core components of much of the work recognised in the Parliamentary Awards, whether fast-tracking cancer care, providing mobile 24/7 mental health support, or creating vaccination outreach services – to name but a few.
  
I continue to be inspired every day by your ability to strive for improvement and to do the very best for our patients. Together, we will continue to innovate, to pioneer new treatments and to make the very best use of technology, with the singular goal of improving the lives of everyone in our society.
            
 Photo: Aaron   Chown/PA Media
     
Congratulations and thank you to you all on this hugely significant day, and please pass this message on to every member of your teams.

Today, more than ever, as we grapple with the challenge that Covid has created, they have good reason to feel proud of the fantastic work they do.

It's an enormous honour to accept this award on behalf of all NHS staff, both those doing such great work today and those who have contributed to the service over the last 74 years.

With best wishes
Amanda

Amanda Pritchard
Chief Executive
NHS England
12 July 2022
       

FNA-UK OUTREACH

Through 2021 and 2022 FNA-UK has conducted outreach events to strengthen links with prospective and existing members from around the country. The events were spearheaded by FNA-UK Founding Director, Francis Fernando, together with Regional Directors and included Birmingham (top slideshow), Derby (bottom slideshow), Lancaster, Barrow and UCLH in London.  

09 June 2022
FNA-UK
HEALTH AND WELLBEING CONFERENCE
Royal College of Physicians
20 May 2022
FNA-UK WELCOMES NEW PINOY RECRUITS

Wednesday 11 May 2022.  Officers of FNA-UK welcomed new Filipino recruits to Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.  Gigi Yebra and Ariel Lanada, together with officers from the Filipino Community of Oxfordshire, hosted the 12 newly arrived nurses for an evening meal at the Acropolis Greek Taverna in Headington.   The meal was generously funded by Kabayan Remit and Megaworld International who also attended.
Lio Lamar Lio Lamar, one of the new arrivals, reflects on the event:

Moving to the UK as a first timer Overseas Foreign Worker (OFW), like me, is both exciting and nerve-wracking.

Even though I have travelled to other countries outside the Philippines for leisure, being a worker in a new country is a completely different experience.  In addition, the entire process of getting to the UK went too fast for me.  It only took less than 5 months from my application to my arrival, and I felt that I didn’t have enough time to prepare mentally and emotionally.

Now I understand what it feels like to be an OFW; the heavy feeling of summarizing your life in just two or three pieces of luggage and making the hard decision which things to bring with you to your new home and which to leave behind.

As I write this, I have only been in the UK for 4 days and I am already in love with my new home, Oxford!  The weather is good (arriving in the middle of Spring), my new friends from my group or “cohort” are very fun to be with, and everyone has been very warm and welcoming so far.

But what stood out the most for me in my first few days here in Oxford, was the support that I and my group have received from the Filipino Nurses Association United Kingdom (FNA-UK) and the Filipino Community of Oxfordshire (FilCom Oxford) spearheaded by our beloved Mr. Ariel Lañada, the President and Chairman of FNAUK and FilCom Oxford, respectively.

Yesterday, our group was treated to a Greek feast where we met and were welcomed by other leaders of the organization.  As a new OFW, it is very important to receive love and support from fellow Filipinos within the community, and FNA-UK and FilCom Oxford did exactly that for us (and more)!  They made us feel that we are not alone in our new journey here in the UK and that our UK RN careers will only get better!  They also reminded us of the importance of hard work and determination, but more so, the importance of “bayanihan” (helping other fellow Pinoys).

After the dinner, I went home feeling confident that I had made the right decision in moving to the UK, and Oxford to be exact.  I know that I have a strong Filipino community that will support me and that I will never need to struggle on my own.  And this is the best feeling a new OFW can ever ask for!

12 May 2022

FNA-UK Founding Director, Francis Fernando,
top 10 finalist for major international award.

The Inaugural Aster Guardians will be hosted in Dubai, on International Nurses Day, 12th May 2022.

09 May 2022
FNFG NHS FAN-UK Winning Poster Presentation  FNFG NHS FAN-UK Most Outstanding Pastoral Support
FNA-UK Proud winners of Best Poster Presention
Florence Nightingale Foundation Global and NHS England
International Nursing and Midwifery Associations in England - Celebration Event
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London - 28 April 2022

Full report to follow

4 May 2022
FNA-UK Interfaith Webinar
Filipinos No Longer "Othered"

Good news for all Filipino nurses working in the UK. We are not “othered” anymore! We can now finally get our ethnicity changed to “Filipino”  both in ESR (electronic staff record) and NMC.

Why is this important?
By having our ethnicity identified in these national records,  we are counted , heard and become more visible. This is a massive step in better understanding our lived experiences, our unique qualities and unique needs.

We can gain and lose our nationality with the passage of time, with the re-drawing of national borders, by marriage, by ancestry, by migration.

Ethnicity on the other hand….. sticks with us more permanently. It is the first thing many people notice about us. Living in a place where we don’t necessarily conform to the stereotypical demographic, it is often seen as a shorthand for the culture, region, traditions or collective memories mentioned above.  It is our connection to our family, to the traditions that we are familiar with, to the foods we all grew up eating, to the many dialects we grew up hearing, to the filipino stories we grew up telling. And it will follow us no matter where we go.

So if you are due your appraisal or PDP meetings with your line managers, please include it in your agenda and request that your manager change your ethnicity in ESR to Filipino.

For NMC, you can do it yourself online.

Let us all get counted, let us all get visible, let us all say out loud I Am A Filipino! Please share this wonderful news and spread the hashtag #iamafilipino

Thank you to our 2 amazing filipino nurses at NHSE/I Jennifer Caguia and Louie Horne at WRES for their perseverance and ground work in making this happen.

Susie Lagrata, Secretary FNA-UK, 19 January 2022
BEING RESCHEDULED
FNA-UK Christmas Party 2021

Dear All, due to the uncertain situation regarding the new COVID-19 variant, and out of a sense of duty to protect our members and guests, but with a very heavy heart, the officers of FNA-UK have decided to postpone the Christmas Party and reschedule for a later date.

All bookings already made will be honoured for the rescheduled event and details of the new date will be circulated to the membership and posted on the website.

We are so sorry to disappoint you, but we are sure you will understand that, as a nursing association, we always have to err on the side of caution and safety.

6 December 2021
Nursing Times Awards 2021

Susie Mamangon Lagrata reports on the glittering event held on 27 October.
Innovation and Best Practice in Nursing and Midwifery! That was the central theme of this year's Nursing Times Awards. Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane London has never seen such a collection of amazing and inspiring nurse leaders in one night.  The event was graced by trailblazers and inspiring leaders including England's CNO Ruth May, NMC's Chief Executive and Registrar Andrea Sutcliffe CBE and many many more. The Nursing Times Awards were judged by an esteemed panel of judges made up of leaders from the nursing and wider healthcare sector alongside several past award winners. Among these luminaries is FNA-UK's deputy secretary and NHS Supply Chain's Clinical Specialist Lead, Maya Aquino-Guerrero.

Filipino nurses are well represented during the night. Among the contingent is the power house of nurse leaders from FNA-UK including Susie Lagrata, Maya Aquino-Guererro, May Parsons, and Jose Ariel Lanada together with the formidable Chair of PNA-UK, Oliver Soriano.   The night started with a warm and upbeat welcome by Nursing Times editor Steve Ford. Steve emphasized that although the Nursing Times Awards happen every year, this year is extra special. The past 18 months had been truly challenging for the nursing profession but on the same note, the past 18 months have also showcased the invaluable and incredible work of nurses.  He also stated that the challenges posed by the pandemic were unprecedented and the impact on services and the profession continues - the nursing workforce efforts deserve everyone's thanks and recognition.

One of the main highlights of the night was when May Parsons, Modern Matron Education and Escalation at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHST and FNA-UK Regional Director, went on the stage for her speech. May or "gorgeous vaccine queen" as we fondly call her, gave the first dose of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in the world outside the clinical trials. Since that momentous day, watched by millions of people around the world, May has been at the forefront of information dissemination and has been a beacon of renewed hope. In her speech, May stated how the vaccine heralded the beginning of renewed hope and that spark of light at the end of a very dark tunnel. She expressed her utmost gratitude to be given the honour and privilege to offer hope to everyone. May also highlighted the key role nurses have played, not just during the pandemic, but also in the successful rollout of the vaccine. She has also been in the midst of increasing the awareness on the benefits of getting vaccinated amongst colleagues from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds both here in the UK and in the Philippines.

There were 24 awards given out on the night and one of them is the much-coveted Nurse of the Year award. Amongst the top 8 shortlisted was FNA-UK President Jose Ariel Lanada. Ariel was nominated for his exemplary work as a Divisional Lead for Practice Development and Education at Oxford University Hospitals NHSFT. His nomination also paid tribute to his selfless work in community service. Some of his great initiatives includes providing hot meals to health care workers during the pandemic, in addition to running free professional development programmes for nurses through his role as President of FNA-UK including OSCE reviews, Enhancing Leadership workshops, and Interview Skills workshops. The category was won by Dianne Backhouse from Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Another proud moment was when Jamie Henry, a young Filipino nurse of Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust was announced the winner of Rising Star Award!

HRH The Prince of Wales also made an appearance through a video message. In his video message, The Prince of Wales paid tribute to the tremendous work of nurses over the pandemic. He also paid homage to the extraordinary work and achievements of nurses even in "ordinary" times". In his own words, Price Charles managed to sum up what nursing is all about, "faced with the global pandemic, we have seen nurses meet a great challenge with even greater dedication, adapting swiftly to new circumstances while never failing to provide the routine care they do so brilliantly". The night was hosted by the beautiful Naga Munchetty, BBC Breakfast presenter, whose mere presence made the occasion glamorous and who skilfully created a relaxed ambiance for everyone at the same time. During the night, Naga proudly paid tribute to her parents who are both nurses. Her honest and heart-warming words resonated with and went straight to the hearts of everyone "not all nurses reach dizzyingly career highs such as getting an award, but you all need to remember that everyone matters... everything that you do matters"!


3 November 2021
Many congratulations to
Edmund Tabay
on being appointed Director of Nursing
at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust,
thought to be the first nurse from the Philippines to hold a ‘very senior manager’ position in the NHS.  


13 August 2021
Happy 1st Anniversary FNA-UK!
Celebrations in Oxford
A little later than originally planned because of COVID-19 restrictions, FNA-UK held its celebration of its 1st Anniversary at Jurys Inn, Oxford on Saturday 7 August 2021.  Around 120 attendees were honoured to be joined by H.E. Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo and Mrs Lagdameo and other representatives from the Philippine Embassy in London. Masters of Ceremonies were Louie Horne and Susie Lagrata. The event was generously sponsored by Megaworld and Kabayan Remit.

7 August 2021
Francis Sioson was a Filipino nurse who worked in the Emergency Department at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.  He sadly died in January 2020.  In this touching tribute, former colleague Janice Morgan remembers her friend.

Francis Sioson was a fantastic nurse, his smile lit up any room and he was the most caring person I have ever met. His mum Emelyn worked in ED for many years, and it was so wonderful to see Francis start working here when he came over to the UK.

Unfortunately in late 2018 Francis suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm, which required emergency surgery as well as specialist surgery at a different hospital. After a lengthy recovery he was able to return to work mid 2019. Then unfortunately again, in Dec 2019, Francis suffered another ruptured aneurysm and unfortunately passed away in Jan 2020.

I want to pass on his fantastic legacy.

Francis was at the centre of our Team ED family. He was a beautiful soul and one of the hardest working nurses, his death left a void in our team that will not be filled. Francis bought so much to our team, the department and to the people lucky enough to have met him. His smile was genuine and full of warmth and he always showed such respect to his friends, colleagues and strangers alike. After the loss of Francis the department and our staff made a pledge to #bemoreFrancis, to try and be all the things we loved in Francis.

All the staff in ED now wear a #bemoreFrancis badge and all new starters read the pledge.

Francis was so very kind, he cared deeply about every single person who crossed his path, he was genuine, caring and his work ethic was second to none - it was difficult to keep him still at times. He was so proud of his profession and loved being a nurse. Francis was an amazing nurse and he had worked so hard to get to where he was, he was an inspiration to all of us with his positive attitude even on the hardest and busiest days. Nothing was too much trouble for Francis, no job was too small or too big, he took everything within his stride with a smile on his face.

Most importantly Francis never left anyone behind, a five minute chat with Francis would make you feel noticed and heard. There is an old saying – 'people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel’ - and Francis made us feel better for and about ourselves. He taught us to be grateful for the present moment and the importance of taking care of each other. No matter what, and despite any of his own problems, Francis was always smiling, positive and happy and this bought comfort to so many of us, and of course to the patients he nursed. We were lucky to have had a little part of Francis in our lives and his legacy will live on in our department.

Francis made the world a better place, so we ask you to join us in our pledge to #bemoreFrancis.

Everyone Francis worked with can share stories about how he made them feel. I remember when I was pregnant, he said to me that I must be having a girl (I didn’t know at the time the gender of the baby). He said ‘you look so beautiful Sister, you must be having a girl’, and now everytime I look at my daughter I think about what he said and smile.

We now have a plaque dedicated to Francis in our department alongside a picture of him.


21 July 2021

In memory of
Francis Sioson
FNA-UK 1st Anniversary
Happy 1st Anniversary
FNA-UK!
Many congratulations to FNA-UK South West Regional Director

Raymond Padilla

on his election as a councillor on Gloucester City Council
representing Matson & Robinswood ward




8 May 2021

Raymond Padilla - FNA-UK
Ariel Lanada - FNA-UK
Many congratulations to FNA-UK Interim  President

Ariel Lanada

on his joint award as
BAME Nurse of the Year
at the National BAME Health and Care Awards 2021


6 May 2021

Francis Fernando - FNA-UK
Many congratulations to FNA-UK Founding Director

Francis Fernando

on his award as
Compassionate and Inclusive Leader – Initiative
at the National BAME Health and Care Awards 2021

The citation says that Francis "demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting underrepresented groups, challenging those in authority to take action and develop practical support for BAME colleagues"


15 April 2021

New COVID-19 vaccine video from NHS England and NHS Improvement


30 March 2021

Philippine Star 2-Part Article on FNA-UK's
Marka ng Maskara initiative


27 March 2021

Dear Members,

This news article is currently circulating on different media outlets worldwide and on all social media platforms. FNA-UK have been in touch with the Philippine Embassy here in the UK to get clarification of the issue.

As it stands, the Filipino Nurses Association United Kingdom would like to take this moment to acknowledge all your valuable contributions and sacrifices in this once-in-a-generation health crisis. FNA-UK thank you for your resilience, your strength, your service, and your kindness.

Thank you for being the best in what you do and bringing pride to our country!

FNA-UK

Marka ng Maskara

Filipino healthcare workers' accounts of what the marks left by face masks mean to them

Marka ng Maskara is an initiative, recently started by FNA-UK Secretary Susie Lagrata, to increase the profile of Filipino Nurses here in UK by telling their stories and experiences during the pandemic. Marka ng Maskara aims to capture the varied  stories of our colleagues from many heroic, brave, uplifting and admirable to sad and heartbreaking.


In-case you missed the event ...
COVID-19 & The Vaccine Expert Panel Webinar
Thursday 11 Febrary 2021

the event was recorded
GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL NURSES DURING COVID-19
NHS Employers
Published 1 February 2021

This resource, created by NHS England and NHS Improvement, with the support of NHS Employers and the unions, provides a collection of national resources and guidance to support international nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
FNA-UK SUPPORT TO OSCE CANDIDATES
Testimonial from newly Registered Nurse Joseph Oliverio about the support he received from FNA-UK during his preparation for his OSCE examination.
10 February 2021
Tinig UK article about low take-up of vaccination and FNA-UK's COVID-19 & The Vaccine Expert Panel Webinar being held on Thursday 11 February 2021 at 6pm on Zoom.
ONCE A NURSE, ALWAYS A NURSE!
(FNA-UK meets non-NMC registered Filipino licensed nurses)
by Susie Mamangon Lagrata
2 February 2021

Being a nurse is full of delights and demands. The stress and strain of providing care as a nurse are worth the lives that are touched.  Once a nurse, always a nurse! An ethos echoed by the group of non-NMC registered nurses from Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital (TASH), and they will stop at nothing to get the chance to be registered nurses here in the UK. Brought together by an amazing nurse leader, Wilfred Cadelina (nurse manager in TASH), affectionately called “Kuya Wil” by everybody, FNA-UK officers led by President Ariel Lanada met this group of dedicated non-NMC registered HCW’s all of whom are currently working as health care assistants in the UK.

The meeting started with a brief “getting -to know” session. It’s a humbling experience hearing how they all bravely faced and overcame their challenges in their journey to get here. But that journey goes on as they all continue to navigate the path to achieving that much coveted NMC registration. Their desire and passion to become part of the UK’s healthcare workforce landscape as registered nurses emanated from every single one of them. It was also equally inspiring to hear the story of their leader, Kuya Wil. Wilfred is a brave COVID-19 survivor. No eyes were dry upon hearing Wilfred’s account of his survival. We were all unanimous in saying that there is a reason why he survived. God has a mission for him, and he is diligently doing it to the Glory of God. Wilfred does not just advocate and provide a voice for his fellow Filipino health care workers at TASH....he also leads them and guides them to help make their journey towards being a registered nurse a smooth and easy one. An aim echoed by FNA-UK.

FNA-UK wholeheartedly and tirelessly extends the hand of support to nurses and those who are aspiring to become registered nurses here in the UK. This meeting was not the first time that FNA-UK met with non-NMC registered Filipino nurses licensed in the Philippines. A few months ago, FNA-UK also met with a group of non-NMC Filipino licensed nurses from all over the UK who FNA-UK gathered as part of FNA-UK’s outreach program. At both meetings, our interim President explained the opportunities in the horizon, including the initiative of and fund allocation from Chief Nursing Officer of England to get this program going. President Lanada also gave various tips on how to traverse the road to become a registered nurse easily. After that, a question and answer followed where the attendees had the opportunity to ask questions to all officers’ present including Susie Lagrata, Marion Mangalindan, Shawie De Vera and Rose Gargarita.

The meeting ended with everybody feeling inspired, energised and hopeful. Meetings like this are truly a prime example of how the spirit of Bayanihan lives on wherever Pinoys may be and whatever the circumstances may be.

FNA-UK Meeting
A Message from FNA-UK to everyone
21 January 2021

As the pandemic continues to take a toll on our society, FNA-UK reminds all - especially frontliners - not to lose hope. Be kind to others and to yourselves and inspire one another.

Together we can ...
2020..... A Year Like No Other!
by Susie Mamangon Lagrata
5 January 2021

No doubt a lot of us are reflecting on this challenging year and shaking our heads. How long is this going to last, and how much more do we have to deal with?

Some of us even might be having a hard time seeing any reason to be positive. After all, we’ve had our freedom to gather restricted. Our ability to live the life we envision for ourselves has been put on hold. People are dying, hospitals are filling up with COVID-19 patients, and a number of people just can’t seem to grasp that we’re in the middle of a crisis.

As the UK faced a deadly trifecta of pandemic, unprecedented international health crisis and major nursing shortage, many of the gaps are being filled by thousands of Filipino migrant workers, whose skills put them on the front lines. At the same time, many more are doing similarly difficult work outside of the spotlight as caregivers and personal support workers in individual homes and long-term care facilities.... most of us if not all of us have seen deadly outbreaks. The pandemic has highlighted a crucial fact that Filipino nurses are one of the backbones of the UK's health and social care system. But the pandemic also highlighted the vulnerabilities of BAME groups including the Filipinos as it has become very apparent that Filipino Nurses experience specific forms of vulnerability during this ongoing pandemic evidenced by the disproportionate mortality.

While our community was shaken, our resilience and faith in God were not – which are two main factors that helped us navigate this period of danger and uncertainty. Born from necessity, a sliver of hope surfaced through this crisis. The Filipino Nurses Association - UK or FNA-UK was born! As a collective voice, we became a force to be reckoned with. As a collective voice, we empowered each other to speak up to say that as a community, we don’t want to just survive.....we want to grow, thrive but above all we want to LIVE! Filipinos are well known to never complain and boy did we not for a very long time. We often tend to keep quiet and just say, ‘We’re okay, we got this job". But in this trying time, we realised that we have to speak up and to speak louder this time.  And in the long term, our community, the FNA-UK will continue to be vocal in challenging systemic issues, will continue to empower each other through training and development, will continue to raise the profile of the amazing work that Filipino nurses and all Filipino healthcare workers here in the UK do.

Happy New Year everyone and here's hoping and praying that 2021 will be a better year for all of us! God Bless us all!
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