NURSES in the NHS in the North East and Yorkshire increased by 1,880 to 48,976, and doctors rose by 1,031 to 18,710 from September, according to NHS workforce figures.

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

Across England, professionally qualified clinical staff including paramedics are at record levels, as are scientific, therapeutic and technical staff.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “This winter will be challenging as we fight this deadly virus. I’m delighted 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 thanks to their unrelenting dedication, we will not only beat Covid but secure the future of our health service.”

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.

New nursing applicants to English providers between January 15 and June 30 was 68% (4,600) higher than the same period last year.