Hospital calls in French doctors

A leading hospital has had to look overseas for staff to work in its operating theatres.

Luton and Dunstable Hospital brought in extra staff from overseas to meet the demand for orthopaedic surgery.

Surgeons and anaesthetists, mainly from France, will work with the hospital's operating theatre and ward staff at weekends between now and February.

Chief executive Stephen Ramsden said the move was in the interests of patients and would cut waiting lists.

"There are not enough orthopaedic surgeons in this country but there is spare capacity in Europe," he said.