Moving to Swansea Bay pays off personally and professionally for Melvin and Manjula

Swansea Bay has much more than a golden trove of sandy beaches and its beautiful landscape – many uproot their lives and travel thousands of miles from their home country to aid their careers.

Leaving loved ones behind to take a brave first step to living and working in a new country with a different culture can be daunting and equally as exciting.

But for Melvin Cua and Manjula Sajaveen, it has proved not only the biggest decision of their lives, but the best.

Melvin was among the second cohort of Filipino nurses to arrive in Swansea Bay in 2002, while Manjula left India behind in 2005 to complete her nursing qualifications before starting work for the health board two years later.

They are among the many nurses to have joined Swansea Bay from abroad, which, in the last four years in particular, has helped plug the gap of nurses at band 5 level – a common first stage for new nurses – to the point where the health board in the fortunate position of having a very low level of vacancies for nursing and healthcare support workers.

PICTURED: Melvin Cua has been with the health board for 23 years.

Melvin and Manjula joined Swansea Bay at band 5 level but are now in band 8a senior roles thanks to the support and training they have received in that time.

The pair have also hit significant milestones within their fields.

Melvin became the first non-medical practitioner in Wales to qualify to give a sight-saving injection and is now a Senior Advance Ophthalmic Practitioner specialising in medical retina.

For Melvin, staying in Swansea Bay was not the original plan following his move here.

He said: “Initially, I was planning to stay here for the duration of my work permit, which I think was five years, and then move back to Manila and settle down.

“But I got married in 2003, and following a family tragedy everything changed and my wife followed me here. But since arriving here, I’ve never thought of relocating anywhere despite having friends in other parts of the UK.

“I’ve loved working here. Since starting in Hill House Hospital Ward 2, my redeployment to ophthalmology in 2008 has led to me studying an Ophthalmic Nursing Course and then a Post Graduate Course for Medical Retina.

“I am now qualified to administer a special laser treatment (YAG) used to improve the vision after cataract surgery, so I’ve experienced fantastic development within my field.”

Manjula started as a staff nurse in Cardiac ITU on July 1, 2007 – nearly 18 years on she is the first nurse of Indian origin to secure a Matron position within the health board.

Their promotions highlight the health board’s desire to develop its staff.

PICTURED: Manjula Sajaveen is now a Matron in Cardiac ITU.

As part of a three-year strategic equality plan, called We All Belong, the organisation has committed to further improvements in service accessibility and acceptance for all.

This includes helping staff fulfil their potential, leading to better health care for our community.

Manjula added: “The support I’ve received throughout my career, including flexible shift patterns and the respect shown by my colleagues, has really made me feel that I belong here.

“I genuinely love working in Cardiac ITU. I’ve been able to progress within the team and develop my skills significantly.

“I’ve always been eager to attend training courses from the very beginning of my career. Cardiac ITU supported me with opportunities such as the Manager’s Pathway and my Master’s degree, and I’ve received support and advice from senior colleagues in my workplace or people from my community across the UK.”

It is not just their careers which have benefited, but their personal lives too.

They each have two children born in Swansea, and now call the city their home.

Manjula said: “I brought my husband over in 2006, a year after I arrived. Both of my children were born in Swansea while I was working for Swansea Bay - they are now 16 and 13.

“My family and I have made our home here in Swansea. I love the beautiful beaches and I really enjoy the airshow.

“I’ve always found the people to be genuinely kind. I’ve never experienced any racism or bullying, which has meant a lot to me.”

Lynne Jones is the Head of Nursing Education and Recruitment within the health board. She has been a nurse for over 40 years and spent more than half of that time in nurse education and recruitment roles, playing a pivotal part in attracting overseas nurses to the health board.

Lynne said: “It has been wonderful to see Melvin and Manjula’s progression within the health board.

“It is clear they have worked extremely hard and been committed to developing their nursing careers in the UK and, fortunately for us, in Swansea Bay.

“The health board has recruited international nurses for many years and they now make up a significant proportion of the nursing workforce.

“The majority of the international nurses join us as a Band 5 nurse, however we have many who are now progressing their careers and working at the higher bands of 6, 7 and 8a.

“We are committed to developing our international nurses, affording them the same opportunities for career progression as our UK trained nurses.

“The international nurses bring a wealth of experience with them from a wide variety of countries, many having held senior nursing positions previously.

“We are fortunate to be able to welcome them to Swansea Bay and benefit from the knowledge, skill, diversity and enthusiasm they bring.”