New Nursing and Midwifery Council figures show the number of registered nurses, midwives and nursing associates has grown.

Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive, NHS Providers, said:

“It’s great to see more NHS nurses, midwives and nursing associates than ever before but the hard part now is holding on to them.

“It’s a big worry that a survey of leavers found almost half quit the profession earlier than planned, many blaming burnout and poor physical and mental health.

“While the aim of the year-old Long Term Workforce Plan for the NHS is to establish a more sustainable supply of trained home-grown staff, the figures show that half of those on the register still come from abroad.

“And with almost one in three people on the register from black and ethnic minority backgrounds it’s vital that we keep working hard to ensure that the NHS is a great place to work – inclusive, promoting equality and combatting discrimination.”