The government has begun a drive to encourage nurses and other key staff back into the NHS in London and the south east.
Vacancy rates in London and the south east are higher than the national average, which is why the campaign is being launched in these areas. It aims to attract nurses, midwives, radiographers and other key health professionals back into the NHS.
The drive will build on successful recruitment campaigns of the past two years. Since 1998 the number of nurses and midwives in NHS regions in London, south east and the east has risen by over 2,500.
Health minister John Denham said: “The NHS is expanding rapidly, which is why we need more nurses, midwives and other staff than ever before.
“The NHS plan announced that by 2004 there would be an additional 20,000 nurses and 6,500 therapists and other health professionals in the NHS. We need these staff to ensure that we are able to deliver the changes which patients want to see in the NHS.”