Ref. 27931-04Swindon's latest medical recruits have been shown around their new workplace just hours after jetting in from the Philippines.

The Great Western Hospital welcomed 19 cardiology nurses who are eager to start work.

The latest recruits landed at Heathrow airport at 5am yesterday and arrived at the hospital at 8.30am.

Nurse Debra Galang, 32, was among those to make the long journey to Swindon.

She said: "I have always dreamed of coming to Europe and I am looking forward to seeing castles around England.

"Unfortunately I fell asleep on the journey from the airport so I missed seeing Windsor Castle, but there will be other chances.

"I'm a little nervous about starting work but am really looking forward to it. Everyone has been so warm and friendly already and I really like my new room."

Debra and her new colleagues will now start a three-week intensive induction course to ensure they are fully prepared before taking up their roles on the Mercury cardiology ward.

Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, lead recruit advisor, was part of the hospital team who interviewed some 60 Filipino candidates in the summer.

"They were all very interested in coming here and working with us," she said. "These nurses take their training and skills very seriously.

"We are trying to fill in the gaps of staff shortages as best we can. We constantly review and revise the staffing situation."

Most of the new arrivals will lodge in Downsview House, at the back of the hospital, for their first six months. The modern building caters for 141 members of staff, with private en-suite bedrooms and communal lounges and kitchens.

The hospital has many international staff with 50 nurses from the Philippines and nurses, scientists and doctors from other countries. There are 1,235 nurses working in the hospital of which 724 coming from a nursing "bank''. With the new recruits vacancies are down to 25.

Hospital spokesman Chris Birdsall said: "We are very happy to have the nurses here and we welcome them with open arms. We have gone to countries where we know the calibre of training is high, the nurses are well respected and they speak good English.

"In the Philippines nursing is highly regarded as a career so they have no trouble recruiting people, and because they continue to train more nurses than they need we are not taking them from a country where they are needed."

He said recruiting from around the world brings the increased benefits wider skills and experiences that can be shared.

And as there is a national shortage across Britain it makes sense to pull in more staff from abroad.

If you want to resume or start a career in nursing contact the Human Resources Department on 01793 604020 or visit www.Swindon-marlborough.nhs.uk

Alex Emery