Afghan nurse building new bridges in UK
A nurse is hoping to forge a new career with the NHS after fleeing the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Hemat Halim and his family relocated to the UK as part of the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy offering the chance of a new life to interpreters who faced potential persecution under the new regime.
Hemat, 31, said: “I worked as a nurse in Kabul for several years and then as an interpreter with the Army. We got out days before the Taliban came to power. The family is very happy in the UK and I am keen to continue nursing here.”
He has been supported by the NHS Funded Building Bridges Programme which helps refugee health professionals living in London to return to practice start over.
Hemat recently completed a 12-day placement at Northwick Park as a healthcare assistant. He is hoping the trust will offer him a permanent role allowing him to eventually take NMC exams and become a registered nurse in the UK his nursing degree.
“I’ve had to start over making beds, taking vital signs and that sort of thing but that’s fine. It’s really nice to be working with patients again and the staff have been friendly.”
Hemat is one of three refugees involved in the programme at the hospital trust