NURSING union representatives were due today from the UK  to speak with their members and Health and Social Services.

The department announced last week that it had been unable to recruit enough qualified nurses to reopen De Sausmarez surgical ward and Divette Ward – both were closed at the end of November in a last-ditch attempt to curb a £2.5m. overspend.

Royal College of Nursing union member Bev Clark, pictured, yesterday said she had not spoken to any more staff but morale was still low.

She said Lyndsay Meeks, a Royal College of Nursing regional officer from Newbury, would be flying in this morning.

‘Lyndsay will speak to more of the nurses and listen to their concerns and she will also speak with the hospital to see what is happening.’