SEVENTY three nurses have been recruited by Salisbury District Hospital from the Philippines.

The nurse recruitment, part of an ongoing campaign by the hospital, comes after a team of four, including specialist nursing staff and a human resources manager, with the support of a professional agency, went to the Philippines to carry out an interview and selection process.

The nurses are scheduled to start arriving in November and December following further clinical and English language tests, as part of their Nursing and Midwifery Council registration process.

Speaking at a Trust board meeting yesterday (Monday), hospital chief executive Peter Hill said: “We are not expecting all 73 to start with us for various reasons but we are expecting probably around 50 to do so.

“They are experienced nurses with a good command of the English language and they have been recruited to areas we currently find difficult to recruit to such as theatres, elderly care and the spinal injuries unit where their skills and training are particularly suited.”