Thousands more nurses and doctors join NHS

Almost 3,000 extra doctors and nurses are working in the National Health Service in the North, according to new figures.

NHS figures up to the end of September show the number of nurses in the North East and Yorkshire increased by 1,880 to 48,976, while the number of doctors rose by 1,031 to 18,710.

Nationally, the number of nurses in the NHS increased by 13,313 to a record 299,184, and the number of doctors rose by 6,030 to 122,446 – also a record.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said :“This winter will be challenging as we continue to fight this deadly virus, and I’m hugely grateful to all our staff who continue to save lives and provide care to those who need it.

“I’ m delighted that record numbers of doctors and nurses are working in our NHS, plus a record pipeline of future talent in nursing, medicine and general practice.

“We are backing our NHS and will not only beat Covid, but secure the future of our health service and deliver on our manifesto commitment of 50,000 more nurses.”

The final figures from this year’s admission cycle show there were 29,740 acceptances to nursing and midwifery courses in England ,6,110 more than last year and an increase of over a quarter (26%).

The number of new nursing applicants to English providers between Ja nuary 15 and June 30 was 68% (4,600) higher than the same period last year.

Over the summer the NHS People Plan set out how the NHS will put staff wellbeing at its heart with a new recruitment, retention and support package.