SEVENTEEN Filipino nurses have swapped the sweltering heat of the Far East for cold, wet Worcester.

The group, which arrived on Tuesday, will take up positions within Worcester Royal Infirmary and Redditch's Alexandra Hospital.

The nurses, who have all undertaken a four-year BSc in nursing, have a minimum of three years' post registration experience in the Philippines.

They will have a three-month period of supervised practice before working as staff nurses.

Despite the Faithful City's low temperatures and damp weather they have acclimatised well - they have even heard of boy band Westlife!

Working in England has been a dream come true for many of them and they have spoken of their excitement at starting a new life in Worcester.

"It was a big decision for us to come here but for me this is the country of my dreams," said Genevieve Quijano.

The group jetted into England from temperatures of 38C in the Philippines and their initial impressions of Worcester are that it is quiet with the people "friendly and polite."

"Our expectations have been met and we are all very happy how we have been treated, and the people are friendly even in the cold weather," said Ms Quijano.

One of the nurses Conchitina Anis, said they have been "overwhelmed".

"For most of us it was the financial rewards and professional opportunities offered and a chance to see the beauty of England," said Sherwin Pacampara.

"We expect that we will have better equipment and better standard of care than back home."

Suzanne Hardy recruitment adviser for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said she had been struck by the nurses' enthusiasm and their ability.

"We have been very impressed by their knowledge of nursing practice and standard of English," added Ms Hardy.

"These nurses will make an important contribution to the health services in Worcestershire and we would like to welcome these new members of staff and hope that they will be happy during their stay with us."

HEALTH chiefs will raid the Far East for more nurses to help ease staffing shortages in Worcestershire.

A party of Trust officials will jet out to the Philippines in January to try and recruit qualified nurses to bolster levels in the county.

They hope to have them back in the country by March.

Seventeen Filipino nurses arrived in England on Tuesday and their enthusiasm and commitment has delighted health managers.

In addition hospital bosses are set to launch a big recruitment drive in the West Midlands.

"In general terms there is a serious nursing shortage and we have got to have a more reliable method of attracting nurses," said non-executive director, Colin Beardwood.

Trust chairman, Harold Musgrove, said it was now managing to recruit more nurses than they were losing.

Ten nurses were gained last week, four before that and 27 in October.

"We are recruiting nurses far better than we ever did before," he said.

He called for presentations to lure staff from neighbouring counties and the board also agreed there was a need for more aggressive marketing.

HEALTH chiefs will raid the Far East for more nurses to help ease staffing shortages in Worcestershire.

A party of Trust officials will jet out to the Philippines in January to try and recruit qualified nurses to bolster levels in the county.

They hope to have them back in the country by March.

Seventeen Filipino nurses arrived in England on Tuesday and their enthusiasm and commitment has delighted health managers.

In addition hospital bosses are set to launch a big recruitment drive in the West Midlands.

"In general terms there is a serious nursing shortage and we have got to have a more reliable method of attracting nurses," said non-executive director, Colin Beardwood.

Trust chairman, Harold Musgrove, said it was now managing to recruit more nurses than they were losing.

Ten nurses were gained last week, four before that and 27 in October.

"We are recruiting nurses far better than we ever did before," he said.

He called for presentations to lure staff from neighbouring counties and the board also agreed there was a need for more aggressive marketing.

THE problem of patients being shunted around the country because of a shortage of critical care beds is being addressed in Worcestershire.

Health bosses have unveiled details of an extra 10 critical care beds to help cope with winter pressures - taking the number to 24.

And after a meeting with health minister Yvette Cooper, Trust chiefs also hope to have funds for a further 112 beds at their disposal in Newtown Hospital.

Ruth Harrison, chief executive for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, revealed that 20 intensive care and high dependency unit beds are now up and staffed with a further four planned within six weeks.

A £1.4m Government cash injection earlier in the year is paying for the beds.

Ms Harrison said the extra critical care beds (which include both intensive care and high dependency beds) would avoid the hotspots of last year when people were being transferred as far afield as Manchester to find a bed.

She added that the biggest risk for winter was if staff were unable to move patients through acute beds.

Plans for dealing with winter pressures have also included flu vaccines for staff and escalation procedures with other health authorities in the county.

Trust chairman, Harold Musgrove, said winter pressures were the main concern of the Health Minister Yvette Cooper when they met in London on Wednesday.

He said they had pointed out the problem of elderly patients waiting to be discharged but unable to do so because of cash shortages.

"Bedblocking this week stands at 56 in the acute trust," he said.

Mr Musgrove said Worcestershire Health Authority had agreed two floors of Newtown, with 56 beds on each ward, could be included in its plan for next year.

"That is of major significance because that is 112 beds more than we originally thought," he added.

"As we get to a situation where intermediate care and bedblockers are solved we might not need to use them but the fact we have them should reassure people in Worcestershire."