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Government launches campaign to help recruit thousands into NHS

Government launches campaign to help recruit thousands into NHS
By Mimi Launder Reporter
4 March 2020



The Government has launched the next phase of its NHS campaign to help recruit thousands of nurses and allied health professionals in England.

The Government said the latest wave of its ‘We are the NHS’ recruitment drive will help deliver the 50,000 more nurses promised in the Conservatives’ manifesto in the run-up to the election in December last year.

The campaign involves radio, video on demand and social media on top of a new TV advert showcasing the work of current NHS staff.

It is the first by the government to target allied health professionals following its promise to employ 26,000 more primary care staff other than GPs, including paramedics and physiotherapists.

The Government aims to attract teenagers preparing to apply for university and career switchers, encouraging them to find out more about NHS careers and register to receive advice by email.

The drive also highlights the new annual £5,000 living cost grant for all student nurses, midwives and many allied health professionals from September 2020.

Up to £3,000 in additional payments will also be available for students in regions or specialisms struggling to recruit – such as mental health nursing – including help to cover childcare costs.

‘If you think you have what it takes, I encourage you to consider a career in the NHS as an allied health professional or nurse,’ said health secretary Matt Hancock.

‘From the split-second life-saving decisions made by paramedics to the cool calm analysis carried out by radiographers, everything they do is underpinned by talent, teamwork and compassion,’ he added.

‘It’s also one of the most rewarding jobs out there, helping to save and improve people’s lives on a daily basis.’

Chief people officer for the NHS Prerana Issar said: ‘As our health service continues to roll out our Long Term Plan and treat record numbers of patients it is vital that, alongside recruiting an additional 50,000 nurses, we champion what a fulfilling and varied career the NHS provides.

‘We need to ensure we’re attracting the most talented and motivated people so we can continue to deliver the world class service our patients have come to expect.’

The £8-million ‘We are the NHS’ campaign is funded by NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care and was launched in July 2018.

The latest NHS statistics show that nurse numbers have increased by 8,570 from November 2018 to November 2019, from 281,904 to 290,474.

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