MORE accommodation is needed for nurses to help solve staffing problems at Colchester General Hospital.

The struggling hospital, off Turner Road, is again losing nurses far quicker than they are currently able to recruit them.

There are currently more than 100 vacancies despite recruitment drives in Spain, Scotland, Ireland, across Europe and as far afield as the Phillipines.

During the day, the hospital is about 20 per cent short of registered and unregistered nurses.

At night, when fewer are needed, it is still about ten per cent short.

The figures are among the worst since monthly data began being published in May last year.

Members of the health and scrutiny committee at Essex County Council asked if there was anything they could do to help.

Dr Shane Gordon, clinical chief officer at the NHS north east Essex clinical commissioning group, said: “Councillors asked how we thought councils could help in vital efforts to recruit and retain NHS staff, including nurses.

“We suggested effective efforts to promote the many advantages of living and working here, together with more availability of affordable homes for these key workers locally, are some of the important ingredients for success.

“As a GP living locally with my family, I know Essex, and particularly Colchester and Tendring, is a lovely place to live and a great place to work.

“Staff in the public sector, including those working in the NHS, can have a good quality of life by living and working here.”

It is not clear whether the well-publicised problems at the hospital during the past two years are discouraging people from choosing to work in the region.

A spokesman for Colchester General Hospital confirmed attempts are still being made to recruit more nurses, but there is a shortage of suitable staff nationally.

The hospital is also hoping new recruits will remain for longer to learn more about the departments and gain experience and knowledge rather than quickly moving on to other jobs.

Swan Housing Association offers 215 units specifically for nurses, with many of those working at the hospital also using private rented accommodation in and around Colchester.