Nurse shortage keeps ward shut

The hospital says it has tried advertising and open days

A hospital ward in Leicestershire has been shut for nearly a year because it cannot recruit enough nurses.

Managers at St Luke's in Market Harborough have tried without success to find more staff.

The closure has put extra pressure on hospitals in Leicester which at one stage were on red alert because of the lack of beds.

The hospital has advertised for nurses and held open days and are now advertising in neighbouring Northamptonshire to try to recruit new staff.

House prices

Ward Three at the hospital has space for around 20 beds but, despite a £60,000 advertising campaign, no nurses.

Wendy Saviour, the Chief Executive of the Primary Health Care Trust, said: "The key issue which is causing the difficulty is nurse recruitment in Market Harborough.

"Despite extensive advertising in the community and neighbouring communities we have not been able to recruit nurses to man the ward."

The price of houses in the area is also thought to be a factor putting off potential recruits.