Hi all, anyone work in the NHS who can help me

[Leannethom85]

I start new job in the NHS as HCA, it's my first job in 5 years. I was told 2 weeks ago a start date and someone would be in touch, nobody has. I start in 2 weeks and unsure where to go, what time I start at and no idea if I have to get a uniform. Do I call them up because I'm scared they've forgotten all about me and feel very silly.

Who do I call? I feel so silly

To eager to post I posted it in wrong section. I got my silly no brains head on tonight

Call the institution you will be working in and ask to speak to HR. Or, if it is in GP, ask to speak to the practice manager. The contact details will be on your interview and job offer letter.

Do you have an email address? If not a phone call is fine.

I would just contact that and say you are just confirming your start date as XX, and was wondering if you could have some more details such as time, where to report to, and when to get the uniform.

I wouldn’t feel silly, they might have forgotten or they might be planning on contacting you next week but there’s nothing wrong with being proactive and asking for the details now.

I can't help with your specific questions but I can say that this is entirely normal.

maybe call through to the department and ask to speak to the manager/supervisor?

You’ll probably start with an induction first, I’ve always had the information sent through on email. So I’d ring HR about that, the same person who dealt with the recruitment. I’d also ring your new manager too, so ward manager, just to confirm shifts and details for starting after the induction.

Who told you your start date? Could you contact them. In my trust you usually start on an induction day which is a whole day of nonsense with other new starters from various departments. Some trusts will have you do mandatory training and tell you things about the bins and fire alarms etc. at this and sort out swipe cards and name badges. You may also need an IT induction to get passwords and learn how to use systems if that’s relevant to your role but that might not be straight away.
I had to email the uniform department to get a uniform fitting before I started and then I picked them up a few weeks later. It’s not unusual for people to start before their uniform is ready so they wear scrubs or black trousers and a scrub top usually.
I would phone up the department and tell them you have a start date and where do you go and who do you contact about uniform.

If it's a job in a hospital, call the main number and ask switchboard to put you through to recruitment, then tell them you start in two weeks and haven't had any induction details yet, can they tell you when/where your induction will be and for how long? Ask about your uniform too.

You could also ring the ward/unit/department you'll be working in, introduce yourself and ask them if they have your rota yet.

I work in the NHS and have to say this is typical. Be prepared for a very disorganised organisation to work for. They will think you are a mind reader, get used to asking. Ring HR and ask the questions you need to know.

My sister got a job with NHS and didn't actually start until 3 months later. This was after continuously hounding them.

Hi all, I called up the next day and was given a start date, tomorrow morning at 7am. I asked about my uniform and the nurse took my measurements, so assume will get it tomorrow, if not what will I wear? My induction was done online via its online training site due to covid 19. Still have vaccinations to get. So apart from turn up and not make an idiot of myself unsure what is to happen next

Hi, I’ve recently just left community nursing. Just turn up, they may have uniform, may have to wait for it to come in. Have you got a polo T-shirt’ and navy trousers? That type of thing. You will get introduced and sorted when you go in. You will probably shadow someone to start to get your bearings. Nursing is generally really busy so that’s why no one got back to you. You will be grand, good luck!

@Leannethom85 Hi Leanne, I know your post is, from July 2020 but I thought I'd still ask... How's the HCA post going? Are you enjoying it (if enjoying is the right word being in a pandemic) are you hoping to progress to a RN or Nursing Associate? And I really personal question sorry, how old are you? I'm 45 (next week) I only have my level 2 maths and English but for quite a while now I've always wanted to work in A&E as a HCA but eventually a nurse or mental health nurse.. in a&e. Look forward to hearing from you