HEALTH bosses are aiming to reopen a Fareham stroke rehabilitation ward in the New Year after it was closed because of staff shortages.

The Rosewood ward at St Christopher's Hospital has remained closed to admissions for three weeks.

But now health chiefs are hoping to reopen at least five of the nine beds by mid-January.

According to service manager Jan Peach, the problem has been recruiting staff to cover night shifts.

"To get the ward reopened we have to ensure that there is a safe level of nursing staff. Our major problem has been recruiting nurses to cover night shifts.

"We are aiming to open five beds alongside the 26 we currently manage but to do that we will need to recruit four full-time nurses and night cover."

Staff levels should also be bolstered with the introduction of four foreign nurses who have been put on an 'adaptation' programme meet skills standards in the UK.

The one Nigerian and three Philippine nurses should have completed the course by May and will be posted to hospitals in the Fareham and Gosport area.

Mrs Peach said: "We organised a recruitment drive abroad two years ago which proved successful so we are doing the same thing again but on a smaller scale.

"In six months' time the group should have the approval to practise according to the Nursing and Midwifery Council standards."

The ward has been relocated for three weeks with existing patients being transferred to another ward, but health bosses stress the service itself has not stopped.

More nurses are still desperately needed to plug the gaps in the workforce, particularly night duties. Anyone interested in returning to nursing can call the care trust on 01329 286321.