Responding to the announcement by the Home Office that doctors, nurses and paramedics will automatically have their visas extended for one year, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

"We welcome the announcement that 2,800 doctors, nurses and paramedics, and their families, will automatically have their visas extended for a year, without a fee.

"Removing the administrative burden to manage visa extensions in the midst of this pandemic will be welcomed by the entire health sector. The announcement demonstrates how prized each member of NHS staff is, whatever their nationality, and will help boost morale during this extremely challenging period.

"Combined with 20,000 recently retired healthcare professionals generously offering to return to the NHS, as well as student nurses, doctors and allied health professionals joining the workforce earlier than planned, this announcement also means the health service is as equipped as possible with staff to tackle the virus and save lives.

"Additionally, this announcement will be particularly welcomed by trust leaders as it comes at a time when workforce gaps are already increasing due to understandable staff absences."