FOLLOWING concerns over the impact on mothers-to-be of a shortage of neonatal staff, the organisation running Worcestershire Royal Hospital has launched a recruitment campaign.

Last month it was revealed Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust was considering dealing with all high risk births to the Royal, with only the less problematic cases continuing to be dealt with at Redditch's Alexandra Hospital.

If the plans go ahead all women who are less than 37 weeks pregnant when they go into labour would be treated at the Royal rather than the Alex. The current cut-off point is 34 weeks, with the average pregnancy lasting 42 weeks.

As part of its efforts to deal with the problem the trust is holding a recruitment event for nurses and student nurses at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Thursday, July 10.

The organisation's matron for neonatal services, Vicky Bullock, said: “We are looking for nurses and student nurses with good communication skills, competence to work in a highly technical area and an interest in newborn care to join our team.

“No matter what stage in your nursing career you are at, it is worth coming to meet us to find out more.

"We’re happy to give you advice and information about what is needed in order to specialise in neonatal care.

“A career in this field is extremely rewarding.”

To book a place at the recruitment event call 01905 760 661.