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University of Hull backs campaign to attract health professionals to region

The University of Hull is supporting a national campaign to attract health and care workers to the region.

The SHH! campaign was launched by Rt Hon Alan Johnson, former Hull West and Hessle MP and Secretary of State for Health, at Castle Hill Hospital on Wednesday.

The campaign seeks to promote Hull and East Yorkshire as a ‘hidden gem’ and features stories of people who came to work here, fell in love with the area and now want to let others in on the secret.

Professor Susan Lea, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hull, said: “I came to Hull just over three years ago, and what really attracted me was the friendly, supportive feel I got from the moment I stepped foot on campus. The University felt like a bit of a hidden gem, and I know people say that about the region as well.

“I feel passionate about this region. It has really got under my skin. There is a real sense of community. There is also a resilience about the place. I’ve seen a grittiness and a huge sense of pride and loyalty for people to do their best.

“This campaign is important to us as a University. We are in a region which does have a lot of inequality. There are, for example, big differences in health outcomes dependent on where you live.

“The University does a lot of work around health inequality, education and training for health professionals to make sure we take a diverse population into the university and that they succeed.”

Health Students walking by Allam Medical Building

The SHH! campaign is being supported by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Hull York Medical School, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Humberside Police, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Hull CCG, East Riding of Yorkshire CCG, City Health Care Partnership CIC, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Hull.

Deborah Robinson, Director for Professional External Engagement, Faculty of Health Sciences, said: “The University has a good track record of recruiting both staff and students from Hull and the East Riding and beyond.

“We take great pleasure in working with our partners to provide a multi-professional skilled workforce for the region.

“The campaign will enhance the recruitment of both staff and students to this area, which is a great place to come to work, rest and play and a hidden gem.”

Dr Clare Killingback, who relocated from Bournemouth to take up the post of Programme Leader for Physiotherapy at the University of Hull, is one of the case studies highlighted in the campaign.

Dr Killingback said: “This was a once-in-a-career opportunity to start a physio programme from scratch. It’s been brilliant. I’ve loved it.”

She added: “We couldn’t quite believe what we could get for our money. We were living in a one-bedroom flat. Here, we have a fantastic house with a garden. I’m growing vegetables and (my partner) has got a music studio in the loft. Fabulous.”

You can follow the campaign on social media via #thesecretsout.

The campaign also has its own website with links to details of vacancies in the healthcare sector.

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