21.08.20
NHS sees increase of more than 13,000 nurses in the last year
According to newly-published employment figures from up until the end of May, the number of nurses in the NHS in England has increased by 13,840 compared with last year – while the number of doctors has risen by 9,306 too.
The results mean all professionally-qualified clinical staff, doctors, paramedics and support to clinical staff are now at record levels.
The figures for May include some former healthcare professionals who responded to a call from the NHS and returned to working on the frontline during the coronavirus pandemic A total of 592 returning staff were identified in the May statistics – of which there 102 doctors and 157 nurses and health visitors.
Not all returning staff have been reflected in the monthly workforce stats as some have returned on fixed term employment, honorary or bank contracts or via NHS Professionals.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “It is fantastic to see we have record numbers of staff working in our NHS, and as set out last month in the NHS People Plan, we must strive to make the NHS the best possible place to work for all. This will help us retain more of our hardworking staff and ensure the NHS can continue to protect us, as we protected it throughout the peak of this pandemic.
“With the latest UCAS figures already showing a 14% rise in people accepting places on nursing courses in England, we are well on our way to delivering 50,000 more nurses by the end of this Parliament.
“We have protected the NHS, and we are investing record sums into the NHS, hiring more doctors and nurses so that the NHS is always there for you and your family.”
Following A-Level results last week, UCAS statistics revealed a 14% rise in acceptances for nursing and midwifery courses in England, with many more expected to be accepted during clearing.
Last month, the NHS People Plan set out how the NHS will put staff wellbeing at the heart of its new recruitment, retention and support efforts. As part of the plan, a number of practical support steps for staff wellbeing were outlined, including safe spaces to rest and recuperate, the introduction of wellbeing guardians and further support to keep staff physically safe and healthy.