NINE new nurses from India can't wait to start their new careers in Carlisle — even if the weather isn't what they are used to.

They arrived in Cumbria last week and have this week started their induction with North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.

The nine nurses, who arrived in the UK from Kerala in India in December, have been doing their Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) training in Crewe.

Now they are looking forward to starting at Cumberland Infirmary.

“We are delighted to welcome our first cohort of nurses from India to the trust, we have put a lot of support in place to ensure they are welcomed and able to settle in the community,” said NCIC chief nurse, Anna Stabler.

The nurses, who are in a bubble together, have shared their excitement. Ancy Thomas, 30, said: “I miss my family and friends, but they were happy about my new job in the UK. I hope I will be happy here and soon my husband will join me and I would like to have a baby in the future.

“In India, there are lots of opportunities for nurses, but no support for career enhancement.

“I like Carlisle because it is a beautiful place with a calm and quiet environment where a family can settle and fulfil their dreams.”

Deepa Pillai, 37, said: “I Googled about nursing opportunities and hospitals in the UK and I was eagerly waiting for a chance to come to NCIC.

“My family was really happy about my new job in the UK. My son is super excited to come here.”

International recruitment is being used by the trust to address historical staffing issues.

The head of workforce solutions at NCIC, Amanda Dunkley, said: “We are always looking at ways in which we can increase nurse numbers. The whole project to bring the nurses to the trust has been an unbelievable amount of work and I am so pleased to finally see the nurses on their wards today.”