Pioneering Change: How BSW ICB, EBEK Med and SLC Are Transforming NHS Mental Health Nursing Recruitment

At SLC, we are incredibly proud to share the success of a truly groundbreaking project—one that is changing lives, strengthening NHS mental health services, and creating new opportunities for skilled professionals in India.

In partnership with BSW Integrated Care Board (NHS) and EBEK Med, we helped to develop a training infrastructure that equips Indian nurses with both specialized clinical skills and professional English language training, enabling them to thrive as mental health nurses in the NHS.

This initiative isn’t just about recruitment—it’s about breaking down barriers, filling urgent workforce gaps, and empowering healthcare professionals with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the UK.

What Makes This Project Unique?

Mental health nursing shortages have been a persistent challenge for the NHS, and traditional recruitment approaches have struggled to meet demand. Our program directly addresses this by providing:

✅ 200+ hours of face-to-face training
✅ A specialized clinical conversion course developed by BSW NHS clinical educators to bridge syllabus gaps in Indian mental health nursing education
✅ Targeted English language training designed for real-world healthcare communication
✅ Cultural and professional preparation to support nurses in adapting to NHS working environments

Originally piloted with Avon and Wiltshire Partnership (AWP), the program evolved into a comprehensive 8-week course that prepares nurses not just for the job, but for a long-term, successful career in the UK healthcare system.

Delivering Real Impact

The program has already made a significant difference, with 131 mental health nurses now employed across five major NHS trusts:

🔹 Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
🔹 Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust
🔹 Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust
🔹 Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
🔹 Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

These highly trained professionals are now making a direct impact on patient care, addressing urgent staffing shortages, and strengthening mental health services across the UK.

🎥 Watch the full story here:

Award Recognition & Future Expansion

The success of this initiative has been recognized at a national level, with the project shortlisted for the Nursing Times Workforce Awards in 2024. Building on this momentum, we are excited to announce that the program will restart in April 2025, expanding its reach and impact even further.

Beyond recruitment, our wider mission is to eradicate poverty and hardship in India by providing healthcare professionals with the skills, education, and opportunities they need to build brighter futures.

Join Us – Let’s Solve Workforce Challenges Together

If your NHS Trust or healthcare organization is facing hard-to-fill workforce shortages, we’d love to discuss how this program can help.

📩 Contact Tracey Collins International Lead at Devon International Alliance and BSW ICB, for more details.