The number of doctors in the NHS in England rose by more than 6,000 and the number of nurses by more than 13,000 during last year.
The figures, gathered in the newly-released NHS workforce statistics, showed that the number of nurses, doctors and professionally qualified clinical staff, including paramedics, were all at record levels.
In total, figures until the end of September showed there was an increase of 13,313 additional nurses working in the NHS in England while the number of doctors rose by 6,030.
Those increases meant that by the end of the year’s admission cycled showed a record total of 299,184 nurses and 122,446 doctors working across England’s NHS sentences.
There were also 29,470 acceptances to nursing and midwifery courses in England, the statistics showed, an increase of more than 6,110 on the previous year (representing a 26% rise).
Between January 15 and June 30, the number of new nursing applicants to English providers rose 68% on the previous year – some 4,600 applicants – as people responded to the Covid-19 pandemic and considered a career in healthcare.
There were also notable increases in the number of GPs entering training in England.
Through the NHS People Plan, the health service in the summer outlined how it will put staff wellbeing at the heart of what it does with a new recruitment, retention and support package. This set out practical support for wellbeing such as safe spaces to rest and recuperate, wellbeing guardians and support to keep staff physically safe and healthy.
