A HEALTH trust has won national acclaim for attracting consultant psychiatrists from all over the world at a time when the profession is struggling to recruit.

Attractive jobs, good working conditions and excellent prospects are just some of the reasons why 30 consultants have signed up with County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust, according to medical director Chris Fisher.

The trust was selected to pilot recruiting doctors from abroad and has attracted six overseas consultants.

Experts from Bulgaria, Germany, India and the Netherlands are among a host of new faces in the psychiatric department, an achievement recognised by the Commission for Health Improvement.

Dr Fisher said: "There aren't enough doctors completing training. There has also been a massive expansion in consultant posts and there are not enough bodies to fill them.

"But we have been pro-active in recruiting consultants and have been so successful because we have designed jobs that are attractive to people."

Consultant psychiatrist Paul Walker was attracted to Darlington by the trust's reputation for good management. He is working at Darlington Memorial Hospital's Pierremont Unit.

Wico Van Mourik, from the Netherlands, and Kalina Shoilekova, from Bulgaria, were attracted by training opportunities.

The achievement was highlighted as part of a commission report on County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust, which was said to have made progress improving the quality of mental health services.

The trust was also praised for several other areas of its work, including the Bridge Project, which provides activities and support for women at the County Hospital, Durham, which is to be recommended to the NHS as a national example of excellence.