Suggestions that the United States is poaching UK nurses by offering high salaries, rent-free housing and paid airfares are unfounded, claims the Department of Health (DoH).

An article in the Nursing Times claimed that an increasing number of nurses were leaving the UK to pursue nursing careers abroad.

A DoH spokewoman said it was “understandable” that nurses were attracted to the US because of the high salaries on offer, but insisted that many nurses only work there for a couple of years before returning.

She added: “We are working very hard to give nurses the best possible deal in the NHS.”