Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust has brought in mentors to prevent new nurses becoming “disillusioned” and leaving.

Senior nurses act offer guidance and support to younger and less experienced team members under a new plan funded by Health Education England.

Of the 150 or so Band 5 nurses, the first grade of qualification, who join the trust each year, a quarter would leave in their first year.

But only three new nurses have left since October, when senior mentor Beverley Sawer took up her post.

“We know that new nurses can feel vulnerable when hitting the floor, so this is designed to help them,” said chief nurse Kathryn Halford, who created the scheme.

“Our team offers the nurses on the spot help and provides them with a strong support system.”

Two more mentors to start this week, a spokeswoman for the trust said.