MORE than a quarter of nurses employed in the last 12 months by the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital are from outside the UK, figures have revealed.
At the RD&E a total of 72 out of 273 new nurses were employed from outside the UK.
Most were from within the EU, including Spain, Portugal and Ireland.
Two nurses were recruited from outside the EU.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has expressed concern about the figures.
It claims the surge in foreign nurses was down to a "recruitment crisis" and a reduction in university places for nurses to train.
Jeannett Martin, South West director of the RCN, said in recent years there had been a drop in the number of nursing posts across the country.
However, a Department of Health spokesperson dismissed the concerns raised by the RCN.
The spokesperson said they said: "We do not accept there is a national shortage of nurses.
"However, it is up to trusts to recruit and ensure they have appropriate levels of staff.
"If they cannot recruit enough staff locally they may opt to seek nurses from further afield.
"Nurses from abroad have made a very valuable contribution to NHS patient care. However, they should only work in the NHS if they have proven their competence and language skills."