Your NHS needs you! That’s the message from chief nurse Marie Crofts who has today launched a recruitment campaign in Wiltshire to attract new staff to enable your local NHS to keep on caring, now and after the Coronavirus pandemic.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust cares for thousands of patients across a wide geographical area, including Swindon and Wiltshire.

We help children, young people and their families across the county – and further afield in Bath & NE Somerset – who are experiencing mental health difficulties get right help they need.

We also help adults with eating disorders across the local patch we deliver community Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) as well as manage two inpatient units.

Marie, who is chief nurse for the whole organisation, said: “We may be called Oxford Health, but we are in YOUR community delivering care to thousands of young patients — your family and loved ones.

“We need a range of people to help us keep caring. I particularly want to hear from registered nurses, registered mental health practitioners, those who are new to health care and embarking on or who want to further their careers-  and those who are in interested in returning to practice.

“We are a flexible employer and have an amazing breadth of rewarding roles available for caring and compassionate individuals who can really make a difference

“We also need admin staff and healthcare support workers who are essential to our nursing teams to deliver day-to-day care, which can encompass a range of skills from supervising meals to supporting young people with their recovery; and working closely with their families to help and empower them.”

Latest NHS data shows that one in eight young people aged five to 19 have a mental health condition and teenagers with a mental disorder are more than 2.5 times more likely to have a mental disorder in adulthood.

Marie said: “Coronavirus has impacted on our staffing levels. Some of our clinical support staff have needed to self-isolate, look after their families, or have on-going conditions that put them at higher risk.

“We want them to stay safe, but we have a growing mountain of work to do in caring for the communities we serve. As a result, we have a range of full time, temporary flexible and bank worker roles. With some of the roles in our Community CAMHS teams there is the possibility for the right candidates to work largely from home undertaking digital consultations.

“So, you could quickly find yourself a new role with us and do your bit – to join our fight, join our teams and help us to keep caring.”

What’s available?

The following roles are available, full training and equipment provided. DBS checks may be required. Weekly or monthly pay is available for flexible workers:

• Healthcare support workers and community support workers: People who provide invaluable help for nursing teams.
• Admin workers – opportunities in Swindon and Salisbury – for people with Microsoft skills
• Senior Mental Health Practitioners
• Psychotherapists
• Psychologists and psychology assistants
• Child and Family Therapists
• Education In-reach staff

Marie added: “Having the support of our community will make such a difference to our hard-pressed teams. If you’re not sure what you can do for us, please visit our website or have a conversation with our team on our Staffing Solutions hotline. We are #oneOHFT.”

• Register your interest or apply today
• Call: Careers helpline on 01865 902500 (weekdays 9am to 5pm)
• Email careers@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk and we’ll respond
• Visit: www.careers.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk for more details

What does Oxford Health do in Wiltshire?

In the heart of Old Town, Swindon, we run Marlborough House – a dedicated 12 bed-inpatient unit for children and young people, with an onsite school which follows the national curriculum.

Our community mental health teams work across Swindon and Wiltshire from bases at Marlborough House Swindon, Savernake Hospital Marlborough, Melksham Community Hospital and Salisbury District Hospital.

Our Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) work directly in partnership with schools and colleges to support young people with mild to moderate mental health and emotional wellbeing issues, such as anxiety, behavioural difficulties or friendship issues. MHSTs act as a link to more specialist help, if appropriate, so that pupils and students can access more intensive support.

At Cotswold House in Marlborough we run an award winning eating disorders service for adults with a range of conditions – including anorexia Our modern unit has 12 inpatient beds and a range of day patient services, for adult patients.

The Wiltshire Community Eating Disorders Service provides community support for adults who need help and advice providing various interventions either within service user’s own homes, health centres or GP surgeries.