Chris Naylor backs new £3k golden handshake to welcome local nurses

Chris Naylor has backed moves by Shropshire Community Health Trust to offer a £3,000 golden handshake to welcome new nurses to the area.

“I’m delighted Shropshire Community Health Trust - who run Bishop’s Castle Community Hospital - are now offering a £3,000 'golden handshake' to attract new nurses” says Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate Chris Naylor. 

"I’m very pleased to be here on the day Sat 25th Nov” Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate Chris Naylor says "meeting potential new recruits so we can reopen the much-needed 16 bed ward here. It’s crucial we save this ward for this special town and surrounding communities. I hope applicants enjoy a walk round lovely Bishop’s Castle town and get a chance to see the beautiful unspoilt countryside."

Chris continues: "I was with Mayor Josh Dickin on the whole of his 18 mile Bed Push to raise awareness and funds on August 28th to show my commitment. As well as asking questions at the first community meeting here on June 5th, and joining the protest march. Our three community hospitals here in South Shropshire offer vital services, and - with two medics in my family - I’m very aware of how important they are, especially for rural locations like Bishop’s Castle."

"We are already over half way there, with our ward manager and senior staff already appointed” says Alicia Hegarty of the non-party 'Staff our Beds to Save our Beds’. "We just need a few more band 5 registered nurses to give us back a fully functioning ward.”

"Our Community Hospital - just off Bishop's Castle High Street - is anyway already running 4 clinics a week” Alicia Hegarty continues "with more in the pipeline once the hospital reopens fully. These beds are essential for post-op recovery, respite, and end-of-life care. They take pressure off our main hospitals by providing local beds at a much lower cost, vital for our rural communities."

Interested nurses and nursing associates - including recently retired - are invited to drop in at the Hospital on Union Street between 10am and 2pm, whether they’ve enquired in advance or not. The NHS vacancy reference number is 825-5647070-OPS-C, offering a salary up to c £35,000. Current closing date 16th December 2023.