Publish date: 28 June 2022

Women’s Forensic Services held a recruitment open day last Friday (24 June). The event was a success with six band 5 nurses recruited from the day, one of which being their first Learning Disability Nurses (RNLD) recruit! 

The aim of the day was to give an insight into the service and people they care for to potential new recruits – Registered Mental health Nurses (RMN) and Learning Disability Nurses (RNLD) in particular. 

The day kicked off in the Atrium and showcased what life is like at the Orchard unit, and how the service users they care for are central to everything they do. 

There were displays and stalls including a mobile wellbeing zone area too – complete with massage chairs! There were also presentations from staff during the day sharing more about what their roles, each highlighting the range of services and support available at the Trust. They spoke in particular about the range of development and learning opportunities on offer that support “the NHS journey” of staff, and how this helps to “build a foundation for development.”  

Two service users at the unit also shared very touching stories about their time at the women’s forensic services. One spoke of how they ‘built trust at the Orchard’ saying how they “took a chance working with, not against” staff and how they saved her life. 

The other shared her experience and quality of life at the Orchard and how it “exceeded expectations”, thanking all the “staff that are amazing” that had “gone above and beyond” for her. 

It was clear there is a real theme of community and working together at the Orchard. Dawn Harwood, Service Director, said how the day’s presentations had “a very visible golden thread, which was about staff engagement, commitment, education, development, support; all the essential foundations to deliver quality care for women.”   

Congratulations to the Orchard team for hosting a successful recruitment event – here’s to the next one! 

The psychological therapies team sharing their work and how they support teams and patients