Hundreds of retired health workers could be brought back to work in the event of a swine flu pandemic in Sussex.

Health bosses are expecting cases to increase in the autumn and are preparing to call in extra medical staff, including nurses.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council has said any former nurses wanting to return to work would have to complete a course to check their skills were up to date.

NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald and NHS Hastings and Rother said that 58 recently retired former staff had been sent letters asking if they were prepared to return to work.

Of the 58 people contacted 21 were nurses.

So far ten members of staff, made up of five nurses and five non-clinical workers, have agreed to go back temporarily.

The PCT said it was a precaution to ensure there were enough medical professionals to care for large numbers of patients, as well as cover for staff absences.

A spokesman said: “Contacting all recently retired staff to see if they wish to return to work temporarily is a sensible measure as part of our ongoing detailed planning around swine flu.

“This will increase the number of people we have available to work to help ensure we offer local people the best health services possible during the pandemic when other staff (or their families) may be affected by sickness.

“In addition, any returning clinical staff may be used to help implement the recently announced swine flu vaccination programme.”

An NHS Brighton and Hove spokeswoman said: "We are in the process of contacting recently retired health professionals to see if they would return to work temporarily if required.

“This is part of the detailed planning around swine flu that is taking place across Brighton and Hove."

West Sussex Primary Care Trust, which is in charge of dealing with the swine flu situation for Brighton and Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex, said it would also be considering asking retired staff to return to work.