A RECRUITMENT event at Bronglais Hospital has been hailed a success, with local residents and even doctors from Syria attending.

Around 50 people came along to hear about the services and facilities at Bronglais, and Hywel Dda Health Board managers say they are confident it will help boost recruitment efforts.

Among the interested people who attended were three Syrian doctors who fled their home country because of the war and who are hoping to resume their medical careers, potentially at Bronglais.

The three doctors, brothers Hussam and Chadi Allahham, who both worked in general surgery, and Mamdouh Assa, a doctor specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology, are currently living in Cardiff, but visited Bronglais for the recruitment event.

Chadi Allahham said: “It is bitter sweet being here today. I am currently working as a healthcare assistant in a private hospital, but I want to return to my career, caring for patients and contributing my skills.

“We have national health provision in Syria too so there are a lot of similarities, but from seeing theatres here today, there are also some differences as well, especially around patient flow, which is really interesting to learn about.”

There were also local people interested in learning more about the roles available at the hospital.

Bethan Lowther, a nursing student at Swansea University who is from Bow Street, said she hoped she might be able to work at Bronglais after completing her course.

She said: “This event is fantastic for me as I want to work as a paediatric nurse and I would love to return home to progress my career. I’ve been a patient in Bronglais in the past so it is strange to come back and see things from the other side. Hopefully I may have the chance to come back and work here in 2018.”

A Hywel Dda spokesperson said some staff had been recruited on the day, and other potential staff members had been invited to apply for jobs.

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