NHS England Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard has launched the health service’s annual recruitment drive, encouraging anyone looking for a career change to consider joining one of hundreds of rewarding roles on offer.

The ‘We are the NHS’ campaign will shine a light on careers within healthcare and showcase the range of job opportunities available, from nursing to radiography to podiatry.

Last year’s campaign, alongside increased investment for degrees and placements and the high profile work of NHS staff throughout the pandemic, prompted a surge in applicants to healthcare degrees, with the number of undergraduate nurses increasing for the third year in a row at this stage.

There are now more than 1.3 million people working for the NHS, an increase of almost 30,000 since June 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown more than ever that the future of England’s health and social care system relies on its people.

It has been one of busiest summers for the NHS, with staff delivering millions more tests and treatments while caring for thousands more patients in hospital with COVID-19.

This would not have been possible without the collective efforts of NHS staff right across the health service.

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”.