More doctors and nurses than ever before now work in the NHS

An NHS staff survey by the Healthcare Commission in the UK, says more doctors and nurses than ever before now work in the NHS. New figures released by the Department of Health show that in 2004 the NHS recruited an extra 8,000 more doctors and 11,200 more nurses.

The census was carried out between September 2003 and September 2004.

Health Secretary John Reid said: "The NHS is the world's biggest 'army for good', employing more than 1.33 million people who make a difference every day.He says the service now has more doctors, nurses, scientists and therapists than ever before, and eighty-four per cent of staff are directly involved in patient care which is increasingly being provided in new and better ways.

The survey also shows that the vast majority of NHS staff are happy at work. Some staff still report being bullied, harassed or abused at work by patients or their relatives, but in general are satisfied with their work and committed to providing the best possible care for patients. The survey concludes that since 2003 there has been an increase in the proportion of NHS staff receiving training and appraisals.