Heather Wheeler OBE MP has welcomed the news that the Government has met its manifesto commitment to recruit an additional 50,000 nurses six months early.
Data published yesterday by NHS England shows there were 51,245 additional nurses in September 2023 compared to 2019. This means the number of nurses have increased from 300,904 in 2019 to over 352,000 – hitting the Government’s manifesto commitment to recruit an additional 50,000 nurses six months early.
The data shows that there are 9,295 more nurses in the Midlands, the figures show in 2019 there were 55,596 nurses in September 2019 which has increased 64,891 nurses in September 2023.
Heather Wheeler OBE MP says:
“This is great news and I am pleased that the Government is delivering on the this manifesto commitment that I stood on in 2019. The 50,000 nurses commitment has, I understand, been achieved through boosting training and education routes into nursing, ethically recruiting internationally and actions to improve the retention of the existing workforce. This includes a financial support package for nursing students – the NHS Learning Support Fund - providing eligible nursing, midwifery and allied health professions students with non-repayable grants of at least £5,000 per academic year to ensure course sustainability.
“I often feel that people do not realise how much of our Country’s resources have been put into the NHS since 2010.
Rt Hon Victoria Atkins MP, Health and Social Care Secretary said:
“There are 50,000 extra nurses in the NHS caring for our loved ones, delivering extra appointments and improving access for patients. We have delivered on our promise but we won’t stop here. The first ever NHS Long Term Workforce Plan will help to retain our current workforce, reform clinical practice, and deliver the biggest training expansion in NHS history, almost doubling the number of adult nurse training places by 2031. These additional nurses will help support cutting waiting lists – which is one of our five priorities – and getting patients the care they need, when they need it.”
