IN this current economic climate, it’s good to know there is at least one profession that isn’t been squeezed by the credit crunch.

The health industry is positively booming in terms of employment opportunities, so much so that one local NHS trust is even looking to recruit abroad.

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust revealed this week it is seriously considering going back to the Philippines this year to fill 60 senior nursing posts required at the hospital in October.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

In the past month’s Nursing Times, the trust placed a full-page advert for a number of jobs, ranging from sister to charge nurses, and that was just for its children’s services.

Barbara Woodrow, deputy director of nursing at the trust, said while it may be good for the employment market, it was a constant thorn in the side for the trust.

She said: “It’s definitely the largest workforce within the trust.

“Five years ago, we had about 1,100 nurses and now that has been increased to 1,300. That’s because of the increase in the number of services we are providing and the redesigning of other services.”

Rebecca Pulford, senior matron for planned care, agreed. She said: “Over the past ten years, there has been huge investment in the clinical workforce and that has meant more nursing posts.

“There are other factors as well, such as the successful development of staff we have had here, which has naturally left a deficit at lower levels.”

Mrs Woodrow added: “Of course, it’s an ageing profession at the moment with many nurses in their fifties about to retire. I think that’s at the greatest level it has ever been.”

In the past, the trust’s approach could be seen as somewhat reactive when it came to nursing numbers.

But now it is very much proactive, taking into consideration possible vacancies that may come up, as well as the problem areas that may arise and the development of services inside and outside the hospital.

Mrs Woodrow explained: “Last January, we started looking at the possible areas and groups where the most pressure is likely to be.

“With good summer planning, you can have a system in place and get the teams together to deal with those high risk areas.

“It’s a cyclical problem, just like many other industries.

Back in 2002/3 there were a lot of vacancies and like every other trust in the country, we had to go abroad to recruit.

“Then just a few years back, there were so many nurses coming out of university, the profession was wondering how we were going to employ them all.”

She said it was now more important than ever to go out and look at the numbers of nurses leaving every month from the universities just to see what was out there, but that only fills the gaps at the lower levels and it’s at the more senior level that the trust has real problems.

On the day the Gazette spoke to senior nurses, 40 people had been inducted to the trust, of which ten were nurses. On a monthly basis, the trust could expect a similar number to be joining.

Mrs Pulford said: “We are constantly recruiting, but have never had a problem with healthcare assistants or junior nurses.

“We would never need to go abroad for untrained nurses.

“But whereas before we used to wait for vacancies to arise, now we are thinking ahead. We are thinking about our nursing needs for the winter and the new services we want to bring in.”

If you are interested in a job at Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, e-mail info@colchesterhospital.nhs.uk or visit www.colchesterhospital. nhs.uk and click on careers for more information.