• Super Admin
• 07 Mar, 2026

A podcast celebrating the journeys of international NHS workers is returning for a second series. The International Care Collective, produced by staff at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, has attracted nearly 4,000 subscribers on YouTube since its launch just three months ago. The show shares the personal and professional stories of NHS staff from around the world and is funded by NHS England's #StayandThrive programme. Sam Elliott-Olechnowicz, a senior multi-professional practice educator in Brighton and the podcast's creator, said: "Winning a second series is simply brilliant and a huge achievement for everyone involved. "We created the pod to shine a light on the incredible journeys of colleagues who have joined us from overseas - people who have left behind families, homes and familiar lives to help us deliver better care here in the UK. "Their courage, resilience and dedication are so inspiring and the popularity of the International Care Collective is testament to this." The podcast launched at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton on November 21, 2025, with an event celebrating international staff from countries including Brazil, South Africa, Uganda, Pakistan, the Philippines and Nigeria. Shahd Khalil, a consultant radiologist from Egypt featured in episode three, said: "Stories are powerful - and when we tell our stories, we share a precious part of ourselves that can help someone in the middle of their journey through the challenges and difficulties that build up their own stories." The programme comes as new figures show that more than 21 per cent of the NHS workforce - around 325,000 people - come from overseas, representing more than 210 countries. Dr Beccy Cooper, MP for Worthing West and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global Health and Security, attended the podcast launch. She said: "Having worked across Africa, South America and Asia, every time I go there I learn different things about how to improve our own health and wellbeing. "We benefit hugely from people coming to this country to work in our NHS, just as other countries benefit from our workforce. This multicultural system benefits all of us, and we should all support such vital healthcare expertise contributing to our NHS." Source: https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/25912313.brighton-nhs-international-staff-podcast-relaunch-month/