TWO Filipino nurses have travelled nearly 7,000 miles to take up new jobs at a Kidderminster home for the elderly.

Maricel Marquez, 30, and Emmanuel Villafania, 31, have joined the staff at the Holmwood Care Centre in Comberton Road.

Matron Maria Walker, who also comes from the Philippines, decided to recruit from her homeland when she was unable to find nursing staff in Wyre Forest.

Mrs Walker said: "We decided to go to the Philippines for nurses, as the standards are exceptionally high and the nurses are dedicated, highly motivated, and hard working.

"Holmwood is part of St Cloud Care Plc., and the plan is to place the two Filipinos at our other homes in Worcestershire over a three-year period, which we feel will be beneficial all round."

She added: "They are both getting on so well. We are really happy with their work.

"Both Emmanuel and Maricel are fitting in at Holmwood very well. They always take great care in what they do and have a sensitive approach to all clients."

The nurses have been in the UK for three months and said their work here is completely different from what they were used to at a hospital in the Philippines.

Maricel said: "Our nursing here is much more hands on, which is really challenging for us.

"We were both based in a hospital, so coming to a care home has given us some very good additional training to complement what we have already been taught. It is great to work with the older people too."