Maituturing na malaking tagumpay para sa lahat ng Filipino healthcare professionals sa United Kingdom ang pagkakahirang sa kauna-unahang Pilipinong Chief Nurse sa National Health Service.
Umukit ng kasaysayan ang registered adult and mental health nurse at tubong Sampaloc, Manila na si Oliver Soriano nang mapili siya bilang Chief Nurse at Quality Officer ng Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust.
Sa post mula sa website ng LSCFT, binati ni Dame Ruth May, chief nursing officer ng NHS England, si Soriano sa kanyang appointment.
“I wish to congratulate Oliver, who I have had the pleasure of meeting as part of the International Nursing and Midwifery Association (INMA) diaspora network. I am sure Oliver will bring a wealth of experience to LSCFT. I know he has a deep passion and respect for the profession worldwide and his patient facing values will be a credit to those who need his care,'” pahayag ni May.
Bumuhos din ang papuri sa social media para kay Soriano na nagsisilbi rin bilang pangulo ng Philippine Nurses Association UK at para sa ilang Filipino senior level nurses, malaking hakbang ang pagkaka-appoint kay Soriano sa usapin ng equality at representation sa healthcare sector.
Sa kanilang website, kinilala naman ng LSCFT ang malawak na karanasan at kasanayan ni Soriano sa healthcare profession.
“Oliver demonstrated strong skills and knowledge and great ambition for our nursing and allied health professions portfolio for the future.His deep nursing ethos, values and caring nature shone through. We are sure he will be a huge asset to our executive team and the Trust Board,” pahayag ng LSCFT.
Bago maging chief nurse, ilang senior level positions ang hinawakan ni Soriano, kabilang ang Associate Director of Nursing ng South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust at Director of Nursing and Quality ng LSCFT.
Isa rin siya sa core members ng Filipino Senior Nurses Association (FSNA) at Jabali Men’s Network, isang organisasyon ng senior male nurses mula sa African, Asian at Carribean background.
Gaya ng ibang overseas Pinoy, marami rin anyang mga pinagdaanang pagsubok sa kanyang propesyon ang bagong Chief Nurse mula nang una siyang dumating sa UK noong 1998.
