A NATIONAL survey of nurses has found that a North-East city is the best place to work in the country.

Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust was top of its list of the 100 best places for nurses to work after a survey by The Nursing Times.

The trust was also the best primary care group and the best family-friendly employer in the country.

Gateshead Health Foundation NHS Trust, which runs the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, was fifth best employer. The trust was also the best acute and general care organisation.

As part of the magazine's centenary celebrations, nurses were questioned on issues such as staff facilities, training and flexible working. If proposals to merge North-East primary care trusts go ahead, the Wearside trust will become part of a larger South of Tyne and Sunderland trust.

Karen Straughair, chief executive of Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be named number one employer by our nurses.

"We value and recognise the work of all of our staff."

Director of nursing Bev Atkinson said: "Over recent years, the role of nurses has been transformed and in Sunderland, nurses deliver a wide range of patient services. We employ around 750 nursing staff in total."

Chris Reed, chief executive of Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: "This is great news for Gateshead and for the North-East.

"We have worked hard to provide all our staff with the best possible training and career opportunities."