An ambitious Black Country healthcare professional is setting up a network to support internationally-recruited Prosthetists and Orthotists (P&Os) entering the UK workforce.

Chiazoka Ezeuzo, Clinical Orthotist for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) – known by her middle name Mary– assesses, prescribes and manages Orthotic devices used to support weakened joints, correct and prevent disorders and reduce pain and strain.

The 29-year-old is part of a team of seven providing Orthotics service to treat more than 300 patients a week across Walsall, Wolverhampton and Cannock. Patients are of all ages and include diabetics and those with learning difficulties.

As an international recruit, Mary, has found patient care, health professional training and clinical presentation varies from country to country and wants to analyse the differences.

She recently presented at the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) conference in Cardiff, where she talked about her career so far and revealed her plans.

“I want to create a study to learn about the problems of internationally-trained P&Os and then work with the Education and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) teams at BAPO to find a solution,” said Mary, who has worked at RWT for 16 months.

“From speaking to other international recruits, there are lots of challenges and culture shocks which has pushed me towards starting this piece of work.

“In my country I had practiced for about four years, but coming here, I had to unlearn a lot of practices  and start afresh to learn and relearn.

“For example, back home, having flat feet is common and therefore not regarded as a deformity, so insoles were not really considered.

“Here, it’s often regarded as a deformity so we prescribe insoles to help reduce pain, strain and sometimes prevent further deviation of the disorder.

“I feel it’s necessary to understand the expectations of employers and that of international recruits to help develop a training programme/community tailored to closing the gap in patient care in different countries.

“My manager has given me the resources to understand what is expected of me and how best to work towards developing myself and career.

“She played a major role in helping me, so if you have the right support system, it helps, but not everyone might have that.”

Dr Nicky Eddison, Consultant Orthotist and Orthotics Service Manager at Walsall Healthcare and RWT, and Chair of BAPO, said: “This was the first time someone had shared their experience as a P&O international recruit and it was very powerful.

“The feedback was really positive, and Mary is now involved with setting up a network for international recruits into P&O to ensure they are supported and connected with other people going through the same journey.”

Mary added: “The more ideas we get, the richer and faster we develop this plan. Maybe we can create a community of shared learning and experience for internationally-trained P&Os.”

Anyone interested in taking part in Mary’s survey should email her at chiazoka.ezeuzo@nhs.net