Jark Healthcare gears up to conquer Northern Ireland market

Jark Healthcare, a leading provider of staff to the healthcare sector has set its sights on becoming the largest in its market in Northern Ireland.

Jark Healthcare has appointed Deborah Oktar-Campbell to oversee the expansion, which will see the company grow from its existing two branches in Downpatrick and Lisburn with new operations planned to open in Armagh and Ballymena in 2008. The company eventually aims to have five branches with 20 staff and 1,000 carers in a range of roles throughout the province.

Deborah has a BSc in healthcare and a diploma in nursing and has extensive experience in healthcare, from both a hands-on and management perspective. Her 17 years experience began when she was at college and worked as a care assistant, before various filling nursing posts until she became a nursing sister. She then moved into healthcare management where she rose to the position of regional manager and operations manager at Southern Cross, the largest provider of care homes in UK with more than 20 care homes in Northern Ireland.

Deborah is looking forward to the new challenge, “After eight years working with the same team and experiencing various changes in the marketplace, I am looking forward to a new challenge in healthcare in a different capacity.

“Northern Ireland is entering a new phase of political stability with local assembly government and the health minister Michael Magimpsey has announced the spend for the next three years, specifically benefiting our field.

“Jark Healthcare’s aim is to become the first choice of recruitment agency in Northern Ireland. We offer a commitment to our customers and carers that we believe is the best in the industry, offering a top quality service, value for money and a commitment to deliver our promises.”

Since joining Jark late last year, Deborah has restructured Jark Healthcare’s existing branches, with Downpatrick concentrating on providing staff for individual patients at home while Lisburn focuses on providing staff for care and nursing homes.

The Downpatrick branch of four staff is managed by Margaret McGrady who joined Jark Healthcare in 2004. Margaret has an NVQ in care management and co-ordinates care staff providing over 1,100 hours of care per week.

Jark’s Lisburn office comprises five staff and is headed up by Carol Savage. Carol has a degree in Health and Welfare and five years experience as a care assistant. She joined Jark Healthcare in 2004 and has recently gained an NVQ in care management.

Thursday 07 February 2008

< < Return to news items