On 24 March 2022 at the HSJ Partnership awards ceremony held at Park Plaza, Westminster, London, Northern Ireland’s HSC Workforce Appeal received a high commendation for Staffing Solution of the Year at this year’s HSJ Partnership Awards. Following a rigorous judging process, the HSC Workforce Appeal had been chosen as a finalist, followed by this very special recognition.
The awards ceremony was attended by leaders and professionals from both the NHS and private sector as well as figures from non-clinical backgrounds. Hosted by celebrity guest Tom Allen, the evening was a true celebration of the achievements and collaborative partnerships in healthcare across a total of 18 categories.
The HSC Workforce Appeal was established by the Department of Health Northern Ireland to manage the urgent recruitment and deployment of health and social care professionals as well as administration and support staff on a temporary basis during the initial outbreak of Covid-19.
Comprising of nine separate organisations including the Department of Health, the Belfast HSC Trust, the Southern HSC Trust, the Northern HSC Trust, the South Eastern HSC Trust, the Western HSC Trust, the Public Health Agency NI, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Healthdaq® (formerly known as HealthSectorTalent®), the initiative has transformed temporary recruitment within the NHS in Northern Ireland, bringing a more collaborative, digital-first and candidate-centric approach.
The impact of this initiative can be seen across Northern Ireland’s health and social care system from acute hospitals to care homes, elective surgery, contact tracing and Covid-19 vaccination programme.
Dave West, Health Service Journal’s Deputy Editor congratulated the team on their successful win;
“This year’s entrants displayed a varied range of projects and partnerships, all working together to benefit the nation’s healthcare sector. On this occasion, I congratulate the HSC Workforce Appeal on getting highly commended in the Staffing Solution of the Year and I look forward to learning the future of their projects, now with the added accolade from the HSJ family.”
On receiving this special mention from the judges, Stephen McLarnon, Chief Executive of Healthdaq and the Project Director for the HSC Workforce Appeal comments;
“On behalf of all the stakeholders, we are absolutely delighted to get a high commendation. It means a great deal to all the recruitment teams across each of the organisations to be recognised in this way and we’re confident that the positive impact of this award will help to create a long-lasting legacy. We’re proud to be considered part of the awards alumni – a community bound by a commitment to improve healthcare for all.”