NURSING sisters on the renal unit at York District Hospital are celebrating a triple baby joy.

Three sisters were over the moon when they found out their babies were due at about the same time and each of them is planning to return to flexible working after their maternity leave.

Maggie Higginbotham and Sue Hardwick are celebrating the arrival of their new babies and colleague Liz Green is expecting her little bundle of joy next week.

Maggie, of Haxby, gave birth to James nine weeks ago at York District Hospital and she is planning to return to work after Easter. She is delighted that she has the opportunity to gradually return to her previous position.

Maggie, who worked in the renal unit at St James's University Hospital before taking up the appointment in York three years ago, said: "In the past, particularly at sister level, you were expected to come back to work to nothing less than a full-time position or otherwise be downgraded.

"Now things are much more flexible and I'm planning to come back part-time before gradually building up to full-time eventually."

Liz, 35, of Barlby, near Selby, has worked at the hospital for 14 years after completing her nurse training in York. Her baby is due next week and she plans to return to work in July.

She added: "I've been offered as an option to go back part-time and work up to returning to full-time hours.

"It'll be much less stressful on myself and my family."

Sue, of Clifton, York, has worked for the trust since completing her nurse training in 1985.

She said: "I'm hoping to go back around August, working part-time at first - at least, that is my aim."

York Health Services NHS Trust's directorate manager, Andrew Bertram, said: "We are always looking to recruit more nurses within the trust, but are actively trying to encourage the many nurses living in the area who may want to come back to work after having their families.

"We can always work around their family commitments to agree a working pattern suited to their needs and the needs of the hospital."

Anyone interested in finding out more about flexible working arrangements for nurses at York District Hospital should telephone Yvonne Gowland on 01904 725986.

Updated: 11:36 Friday, February 01, 2002