NHS launches annual recruitment drive offering a 'rewarding and exciting career'
The NHS launches its annual recruitment drive, with hundreds of jobs offered. New starters will join 1.3 million people who currently work for the health service.
Thursday 21 October 2021 07:21, UK
NHS England has launched its annual recruitment drive, with the head of the health service saying "a fulfilling, rewarding and exciting career awaits".
Hundreds of NHS jobs have been offered, from nursing and radiography to podiatry.
New starters will join 1.3 million people who currently work in the NHS, which has seen an increase of almost 30,000 staff since June 2020.
Last year's campaign, along with increased investment for degrees and placements and the work of NHS staff throughout the pandemic, led to a surge in applicants to healthcare degrees.
It also saw the number of undergraduate nurses increase for the third year in a row.
This summer, staff have delivered millions more tests and treatments while caring for thousands more patients in hospital with COVID.
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: "NHS staff have been at the forefront of the country's response to COVID-19, pulling out all the stops to care for more than 450,000 patients in hospital with coronavirus, while delivering the most successful vaccination programme in health service history.
"Working for the NHS lets you live a thousand lives through the patients and families you care for, and with around 350 different roles to choose from, there is something for everyone.
"Joining the NHS was the best decision I ever made, and I'd encourage anyone, whether you're a school leaver, recent graduate or simply looking for a new challenge, to consider joining - no matter what your experience or qualifications - a fulfilling, rewarding and exciting career awaits."
More than 835,000 people visit their GP practice or practice nurse on a typical day, while around 50,000 attend A&E departments and 36,000 are in hospital for planned care.
The We Are The NHS campaign, now in its fourth year, will see nurses, allied health professionals and healthcare support workers sharing their experiences of life on the front line.
Since the campaign launched in 2018, the average number of undergraduates applying to start a nursing degree has risen by around 8,000, according to the latest 2021 UCAS data.
Nursing graduates are among the most employable, with 94% in work within six months of completing their degree. There are also opportunities to specialise in a range of disciplines, including mental health, community care and paediatrics.
Last year's campaign saw a 35% increase in nursing applications.
Annual payments of at least £5,000 are available to student nurses and those studying degrees related to allied health professions, such as speech and language therapy or occupational therapy.
Suzanne Rastrick, chief allied health professions officer for England, said: "Allied health professionals provide treatment and rehabilitation to adults and children who are ill, have disabilities or special needs, helping them to live life as fully as possible.
"There are a huge range of roles available, from podiatrists and prosthetists to orthoptists and radiographers, so I urge anyone who is interested to search NHS careers and take the first step towards a career in healthcare."