HEALTH chiefs are hoping a new initiative will help the NHS hold on to staff in Hambleton and Richmondshire.

The Primary Care Trust confirmed recently it would be looking at methods which could make working for the local health service more family-friendly.

One of the first projects confirmed since then is a partnership with Busy Bees, which will administrate a scheme which provides staff with the equivalent of a month's free child care.

Those who qualify will be issued with vouchers which they can use to pay child-minders, nurseries, after-school clubs or even close relatives.

As the vouchers will be distributed as part of their salary and can only be used for child care, they do not attract additional National Insurance contributions.

"It costs us nothing, as it is based on both employee and employers paying reduced National Insurance contributions, but has huge benefits for staff who pay for child care," said head of human resources Amanda Heward.

Co-founder of Busy Bees, Dave Thackray, said: "Our voucher scheme is the perfect solution for people working in the NHS. The nature of their work means they need a choice of child care settings to fit in with their work patterns. The versatility of the voucher scheme enables them to select what type of child care suits them best."