ALMOST 60 nurses have returned to the NHS in the region since the government's recruitment drive began three months ago.

The promise to recruit 20,000 extra nurses by 2004 is on track, with 3,000 nurses and midwives having returned or about to return to the NHS since April.

New Department of Health figures reveal a significant drop in the number of vacancies for nursing posts, with regional figures being one per cent below the national average, at 2.4 per cent.

As well as the 59 nurses who have returned to work, another 125 are currently on Return to Practice training courses, while a further 126 have been accepted, and are waiting to take up places on similar courses.

Welcoming the figures, Health Secretary Alan Milburn said: "Better conditions for staff, more flexible working hours and a £77 million investment to provide on site nurseries to nearly two thirds of all trusts has meant that more and more nurses are choosing to return to the NHS."

The North West is expected to receive £5.4 million over the next three years to improve childcare for staff.