The former private HCI hospital in Clydebank - which was bought by the Scottish Executive for �37m in June - has launched an innovative recruitment drive.

The plans include targeting medical staff who have left the armed forces.

We have tried to be innovative in getting staff from other sources, particularly from overseas

Ian McAdam Hospital director

The hospital, which has been renamed the National Waiting Times Centre, also wants to attract overseas staff from countries like Australia and South Africa.

The Scottish Executive said it would also be involved in the 'Back to Nursing' scheme, which aims to encourage staff to return to the profession.

Fears have been voiced in recent weeks over the number of nursing staff being lost to Scottish hospitals.

Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has warned that it may have to cut services because of the number of employees switching to higher graded positions with the new NHS 24 helpline and regional cancer centres.

Details of the recruitment drive emerged as First Minister Jack McConnell and Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm toured the Clydebank hospital on Friday.

The hospital has been brought into the NHS

Mr Chisholm said the NHS was looking at ways of increasing the 240-strong workforce.

"We hope to build up capacity here step by step, but we have to be mindful of the importance of recruiting more staff and retaining staff within the health service.

"I have been struck by the enthusiasm of the staff and how well they have risen to the challenge of helping to tackle Scotland's waiting time targets."

Hospital director Ian McAdam said: "We have tried to be innovative in getting staff from other sources, particularly from overseas.

"We have traditionally attracted staff from Australia and South Africa and we are particularly keen to use Ministry of Defence personnel who are coming back from overseas or who are leaving the service.

On-site hotel

"Although there is always movement by staff within the NHS, there is no point in trying to fill up the staff here by taking people away from local hospitals. It won't solve the problem."

Mr McConnell said the hospital was on track to complete 5,000 operations in its first year in the NHS.

The building is only eight years old and is complete with six operating theatres, MRI and CT scanning and an on-site hotel.

In the few weeks that the NHS has operated the hospital, more than 3,000 patients have been identified for treatment here

Jack McConnell First Minister

It is being used to try to cut the NHS waiting lists in Scotland by targeting operations such as heart surgery, hip and knee replacements, plastic and cataract surgery and endoscopies.

Mr McConnell said he was "extremely pleased" to be able to bring the facility into the NHS.

"Patients across Scotland will benefit from it, and I can confirm today that our target of 5,000 patients a year will be met.

"In the few weeks that the NHS has operated the hospital, more than 3,000 patients have been identified for treatment here.

"Reducing waiting times for all treatments and in all parts of Scotland is our top health priority," he said.