THE shortage of nurses has forced health bosses to look to Asia to find extra staff for hospitals which cover Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa.

A senior nurse and a member of the personnel team from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust flew to the Philippines last week to interview more than 50 applicants in three days to help fill 75 positions in time for winter.

The trust has already made almost 50 new appointments after more than 200 nurses from across the country came to find out about opportunities at its hospitals.

These include the Alexandra Hospital, in Redditch, Worcester Royal Infirmary and Kidderminster General Hospital.

Trust chairman Harold Musgrove said: "We are exploring all the options nationally.

"In addition we are looking to the Philippines where there is a surplus of qualified nurses trained to the same high standards as Britain and who are English speaking.

"This trip has only been made after extensive preparation and screening of the applicants to be interviewed to ensure they have the appropriate qualifications and skills to provide high quality care to the people of Worcestershire."

The recruitment is part of a £1m investment in new staff posts which has already seen 16 new critical care nurses appointed.

The trust has also received a £1.4m government windfall for intensive care and high dependency beds.