Kate Maulik Picture Ref: 77178-57NURSES are returning to Great Western Hospital in their droves, say bosses. Nationally, the Government is struggling to fill vacant NHS nurse positions.

But here in Wiltshire, nothing could be further from the truth, hospital managers insisted yesterday.

Francesca Thompson, director for nursing, said there are around five applications for every vacant position and all are filled.

Modern working conditions coupled with flexible hours are being cited as the main reasons.

Mrs Thompson said: "The recruitment situation at the Great Western Hospital is very positive.

"Our most recent figures show we have a 87.5 per cent stable workforce, which means all those people are not thinking about leaving us."

On average, 10 new nurses are recruited at the hospital each month.

"That's compared to just eight nurses who leave," added Mrs Thompson.

"So we're good in a very good position."

As health comes under the NHS spotlight, the Government claims there are now 77,000 more nurses in our hospitals than in 1997.

But a report from the Royal College of Nursing, warns the number of annual recruits must double to 66,000 if the NHS is to cope with demand.

Prime Minister Tony Blair and Health Secretary, John Reid, believe their Return to Practice scheme is a winner.

The initiative is aimed at skilled nurses, who quit the profession for whatever reason but who are committed to making a return.

"It is important that we attract a variety of nurses to GWH," said Mrs Thompson.

"One of the ways we are doing that is by recruiting from overseas. The Return to Practice scheme has also been successful. We are keen not to put all our eggs in one basket."

Staff nurse Kate Maulik, 41, from Marlborough, decided to return to her roots in September 2003 when she enrolled on a three-month Return to Practice course at GWH.

"For the past 16 years I had been looking after my two children, who are now teenagers, and I had been working as a teaching assistant at a special needs school," she said.

"I always wanted to be a nurse but it's very demanding even more so back then.

"In those days the hours were not very flexible and not suited to mums.

"The course was very intensive but very good. I managed to up-date all my skills."

Kevin Shoesmith