Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust brings together a workforce of more than 5,500 people across a whole range of disciplines.

It is our staff that make the organisation what it is and we are committed to recruiting and promoting people at every level on the basis of the knowledge and personal qualities they bring to the organisation.

‘Improving Working Lives’ is a national initiative aimed at making the NHS a best practice employer.

The Trust’s Improving Working Lives group is now established and oversees many projects which aim to make a real difference to the working lives of staff.

Recruitment and retention of staff is one of the biggest challenges facing the NHS, and we are constantly looking at new ways of attracting and keeping staff.

The Trust was one of the first in the country to offer ‘cadet to consultant’ nurse training with the aim of widening the access into nursing at all levels and ensuring trained staff remain with the organisation.

We have also introduced matrons back into our hospitals. Responsible for a group of wards, the matrons ensure they run smoothly.

We ensure that we offer and promote a range of flexible working practices such as self-rostering, annual hours, career breaks and flexible hours.