Fifty-two out of 59 nurses recruited in Manila for a job in Medway Maritime Hospital in the United Kingdom have failed an English language test, stalling their employment.

British daily The Times on Tuesday reported that out of the 59 nurses recruited in Manila, only 7 passed the language test.

Most of the Filipino nurses offered jobs were still in the process of taking tests, said executives at Medway NHS foundation trust, which runs Medway Maritime Hospital.

The recruitment was part of a plan to bring 200 nurses from the Philippines to work in Medway Maritime Hospital in Kent.

In April, managers from the hospital visited the Philippines to recruit nurses. The hospital had vacancies for 349 nurses by August.

Applicants from non-European Union countries have to take an English language test set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, testing the oral, reading, writing and listening skills of applicants.

Hospital chiefs have previously criticized the test for being "too stringent."

A report of Kent Online in April said the nurses were given a "£3,000 recruitment and retention bonus paid over 26 months, flexible working hours, and a relocation loan."