New analysis identifies the South West as the best place to be an NHS nurse

The South West is the best part of England in which to be an NHS nurse, according to new research to mark International Nurses Day.

It comes out top of the six English regions outside London, in an analysis based on factors from vacancy and sickness rates to property prices.

The South West did particularly well for staff morale and the feeling among nurses that they are recognised and rewarded, as captured by the annual NHS staff survey.

At Great Western Hospitals NHs Foundation Trust the nursing workforce, around 2,000 colleagues, makes up 30 per cent of the entire staff body working across the Trust, with nurses providing care in the hospital and in the community.

The Trust also welcomes over 500 internationally educated nurses who bring skills from around the world to the local community in Swindon and Wiltshire.