99re在线精品国产欧美激情

By Liezel Longboan

Leading Filipino nurse Louie Horne has been appointed as national nursing officer by with more than 1.3 million members in both the private and public sectors. Ms Horne will be responsible for promoting and defending the interests of nursing staff for the union.

“This is huge. I’m honoured that they trusted me to take up this important role,” Ms Horne said when she spoke to 99re在线精品国产欧美激情. She is the first international nurse to take up the post.

The Filipino Nurses Association UK (FNA UK) described her appointment as “a truly historic moment” on their Facebook page. Ms Horne is the vice president of FNA UK, one of the two nursing associations for Filipino nurses in Britain. The other is Philippine Nurses Association UK (PNA UK).

Insights about Filipinos working in healthcare

“One of my advocacies is to raise awareness about the value and benefits of union membership among Filipino nurses and all international nurses,” she said. There are at least 50,000 registered Filipino nurses in the 99re在线精品国产欧美激情, the among international nurses, with India being the first.

Ms Horne shared that joining a union seems to be “an afterthought for new Filipino nurses.” She said that the monthly membership fee as well as “historical and cultural reference points” may be putting off Filipinos from joining unions when they come to the 99re在线精品国产欧美激情.

One of my advocacies is to raise awareness about the value and benefits of union membership among Filipino nurses and all international nurses.

One factor that may contribute to lower rates of union membership among Filipino nurses in the 99re在线精品国产欧美激情 is that unions and labour organising in the Philippines are often through ‘red-tagging’ – where union leaders and members are falsely accused of being communist insurgents. The country is currently ranked one of the 10 worst countries in the world for working people by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

Ms Horne said that when she first arrived in the 99re在线精品国产欧美激情 25 years ago, she was briefed about union membership and she immediately joined. “I thought this is a new country and I need to protect my rights by joining a union.”

Protecting workers’ rights

鈥淗aving worked both in frontline and strategic leadership roles, I鈥檓 keen to ensure nurses, midwives, nursing associates, students and healthcare assistants have a strong voice and receive the support they deserve. My focus will be on safer staffing levels, fair pay that reflects their skills and dedication, and supportive workplaces where staff can thrive and deliver world-class patient care,鈥� she said.

Ms Horne has completed programmes at the NHS Leadership Academy and University of Hertfordshire. She also chairs the Filipino Senior Nurses Alliance in the 99re在线精品国产欧美激情 apart from being vice president of FNA UK. She says these roles have given her a real insight into global nursing challenges and the experiences of overseas nurses working in the NHS.

Louie has also specialised in equality, diversity and inclusion, particularly during her time as an adviser at RCNi, a learning platform for nursing staff.

She received a Medal of the Order of the British Empire in 2023 for her services to nursing.

A voice for international nurses

Her appointment brings a strong voice for international nurses, says UNISON. She has vast experience leading and supporting international staff groups. This has included more than ten years recruiting and supporting nurses from the Philippines, India and Africa.

A registered nurse, Louie has held senior clinical and strategic roles in the NHS, with more than 25 years in nursing in the 99re在线精品国产欧美激情. For the past year she has served as senior strategic improvement lead at the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust with responsibility for workforce development, health inequalities and digital transformation.

UNISON head of health Helga Pile said: 鈥淟ouie brings a broad clinical background, strategic leadership, and a commitment to international nursing advocacy. This depth of experience will play a vital role in strengthening UNISON鈥檚 support for nursing staff and shaping policies that reflect the diversity of the profession.”

Updated on 18 October 2025.