A NEW recruitment campaign has been launched by Poole Hospital in a bid attract nurses to fill some 40 vacancies at the trust.

The hospital, which currently needs around 40 more qualified or registered nurses, has created a new nursing recruitment film and website which was showcased at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Congress, held at the Bournemouth International Centre from June 22 to 24.

It promotes both the wide range of nursing opportunities available in Poole, and the lifestyle on offer in the area, in a bid to recruit more permanent employees and cut the use of agency and nursing staff.

The trust, which has recently successfully recruited a number of nurses, including from overseas, is targeting both the local workforce and nurses from further afield, including the home counties.

The drive comes as the RCN warns that new immigration rules could impact nurses from overseas, and cause chaos in the NHS. Under the new rules workers from outside the EU who are earning less than £35,000 after six years in the UK will be deported. The RCN 's research has said the change, which comes in next April, could affect up to 3,365 nurses, who cost £20.19m to recruit.

Yvonne Jeffrey, assistant director of nursing at Poole Hospital, said: "Continuing to develop a motivated and committed nursing workforce is essential in ensuring the care our patients receive remains first class.

“We’re particularly keen to recruit high calibre registered and newly qualified nurses. We have some exceptional nursing staff here already, as our new film highlights, and want to recruit more to help us to make the care we provide to patients even better.

“Nursing recruitment is not straightforward – like many other hospitals locally and nationally, it’s a challenge to find the right nursing staff.

“I’m optimistic that we can find these exceptional individuals through initiatives like launching our website dedicated exclusively to nursing here, as well as our film which showcases just why nurses should consider Poole Hospital for all they want their career to be.

“We believe we have a unique offer here at Poole Hospital, with dedicated training and support, a wide range of tailored opportunities in a range of specialities in which to develop, in our town centre location, just minutes from the beach and quay.

“I’m confident that the quality of life we enjoy here, and the friendly and inclusive culture at Poole Hospital, will help us to attract the right individuals to these roles.”

To apply and to find out more about the vacancies, visit www.poole.nhs.uk/nursing