A DRIVE to recruit nurses in the South Durham area is being hailed a success.

South Durham Health Care NHS Trust launched a campaign to encourage former nurses to return to the service as part of a nationwide initiative to get skilled workers back into health care.

Trust board members have been told that over the past 18 months, ten nurses have been re-recruited - the highest number for health care trusts in Durham and Teesside.

The success came as a result of an extensive national and local advertising campaign which included open days at both Bishop Auckland General Hospital and Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Nurses wanting to return to the NHS have to complete a course which includes a fortnight in the classroom and a two-week placement.

Joyce Cole spent nine years away from nursing before deciding to re-enter the profession. She now works in the intensive therapy unit (ITU) at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

She said: "I was away from nursing for nine years and the profession has changed a lot during that time - all for the better.

"The course was invaluable. The superb support I received both from the staff on the course and from those in ITU gave me the confidence I needed to return to nursing."

The trust is continuing with its efforts to recruit more nurses.

A number of initiatives are planned which include providing students who are about to qualify with the opportunity to meet health care staff.

A recruitment pack has also been developed which will be given to all students.

Director of nursing and community services, Laura Robson, said: "I am delighted that we have had so much success with this recruitment drive and hope that it will encourage other nurses to return to the NHS."

There are currently eight nursing vacancies at Darlington Memorial Hospital, five at Bishop Auckland General Hospital and two vacancies in the community.

Information about these vacancies can be obtained from the personnel department at Darlington Memorial Hospital, by telephoning (01325) 380100