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JUST HOW MANY NHS WORKERS ARE LEAVING THE HEALTH SERVICE?

An ongoing recruitment crisis has struck all aspects of the NHS and reached unprecedented levels.

Experts warn frustrated medics are fleeing the health service in their droves because of funding issues, relentless pressure and even Brexit.

Figures released earlier this year showed 33,000 nurses in England quit in 2017 - around one in ten posts. It is the first time there have been more leavers than joiners in the profession. 

And official figures show that 41 per cent – around 10,000 doctors – are 50 or over and are expected to quit within the next five to ten years. 

And data last October showed around 10,000 EU nationals quit the NHS between since the Brexit vote in June 2016 and 2017 - up 42 per cent from 2015.  

Estimates suggest the NHS needs 190,000 more staff overall by 2027 in order to meet the demands of a growing and ageing population.

But the Health Education England, the body responsible for the NHS’ workforce, warned in December only 72,000 new staff could be expected to join the service in the next 10 years.

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