Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

UK sees rush for nursing, midwifery courses as NHS inducts record number of professionals

THE NHS has inducted a “record number” of nurses and midwives over the past year, according to official data that also showed “an explosion” of applications to nursing courses in Britain.

The Nursing and Midwifery’s Council reported its largest ever annual increase of approved professionals, with about 18,370 nurses, midwives and nursing associates added to its permanent register up to March 31, 2020 – taking the total number to 716,607.


Between March 2019 and 2020, the number of qualified nurses alone went up by 12,131, from 282,422 to 294,553.

A health department official pointed out that these figures did not include former professionals who “bravely volunteered to return to the frontline”.

Meanwhile, the number of nursing and midwifery applicants to English universities had also risen for the second consecutive year.

Data from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service showed a 16 per cent spike in the number of aspirants for nursing and midwifery courses, compared with the 6.4 per cent increase witnessed last year.

Notably, the number of new applicants between January and June was 68 per cent higher than the same period last year (11,360 in 2020, compared with 6,750 in 2019).

Overall, there were about 47,320 applications by the end of June 2020.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “delighted” to see the “record numbers” as the government worked “towards delivering 50,000 more nurses in this Parliament”.

“As we continue our battle with this deadly disease, our world leading healthcare system has never been more important,” he said.

“We will continue to give it the support it needs today, as well as protecting it for generations to come.

“Nurses have saved countless lives during the pandemic, and the NHS simply couldn’t function without them.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock echoed Johnson’s views, saying the “pandemic demonstrated just how talented and valued our brilliant nurses and midwives are”.

Offering further financial assistance to students, he added that it was “fantastic to see an explosion of applications for nursing and midwifery courses”.

“As well as a hugely rewarding career in one of the world’s best healthcare systems, degree students will benefit from at least £5,000 a year from the government in free additional support during their studies,” Hancock said.

“With over 12,000 more fully qualified nurses working in our NHS compared to last year, we are well on our way to delivering 50,000 more by the end of this Parliament.”

More For You

Labubu

Its appeal lies in its unpredictability, emotional expressiveness, and the thrill of collecting

Getty Images

Labubu’s unlikely rise from quirky Chinese toy to global phenomenon

A mischievous elf-like toy called Labubu has gone from niche collectable to global cultural phenomenon. Created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung and popularised by Chinese toy giant Pop Mart, Labubu has captured the imaginations of collectors from Beijing to London and beyond, with celebrity endorsements and long queues at retail stores fuelling its rapid rise.

The birth of Labubu

Labubu originated as a character in The Monsters, a picture book series by Lung. With its signature wide eyes, pointed ears and toothy grin, the figure was designed to be kind-hearted yet chaotic, charming in a deliberately imperfect way. The name “Labubu” itself doesn’t mean anything; it was invented for the character.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hulk Hogan

Hogan’s current hospital stay follows a neck fusion surgery he underwent in May 2025

Getty Images

Hulk Hogan hospitalised for back and neck issues, rep confirms he is not on deathbed

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has been hospitalised for ongoing neck and back issues, but representatives have confirmed he is not in critical condition, dismissing online speculation suggesting otherwise.

The 71-year-old wrestling icon, whose real name is Terry Bollea, was reported by TMZ Sports to be undergoing treatment related to injuries sustained during his decades-long in-ring career. His representative said Hogan is already mobile again and “not on his deathbed”, following false claims made on air by Florida radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wincey Willis

Willis quickly became a standout figure

Getty Images

Wincey Willis, pioneering TV-am ‘weather girl’ who reshaped breakfast TV, dies at 76

Wincey Willis, a well-known face on British television during the 1980s and a pioneer of breakfast TV presenting, has died aged 76. Her death occurred on 19 December 2024, but was only recently announced.

Born Florence Winsome Leighton in Gateshead on 8 August 1948, she became widely recognised during her time on Good Morning Britain, the flagship programme of ITV’s TV-am. With her vibrant personality, distinctive mullet hairstyle, and energetic presence, she played a pivotal role in helping revive the struggling breakfast channel in the early 1980s.

Keep ReadingShow less
Big Arch burger

McDonald’s introduces the Big Arch burger in the UK

MEN

McDonald’s brings 'iconic' Big Arch burger to UK, fans delighted about 'surprises'

McDonald’s has added a new item to its UK menu – the Big Arch burger. Described by the company as a “new icon,” the burger was unveiled through McDonald’s UK’s official Instagram page as part of a limited-time promotional menu.

The Big Arch includes two beef patties, slices of white cheddar cheese, crispy onions, shredded lettuce, crunchy pickles, and a newly formulated signature sauce. It is served in a soft bun scattered with poppy seeds, a departure from the sesame-seed buns typically used in McDonald’s burgers.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave health risks

Several hidden threats linked to heat waves often go unnoticed

iStock

7 hidden heatwave health risks you may overlook

As temperatures across the UK continue to rise, so too do the health risks associated with extreme heat. While sunburn and dehydration are well-known dangers, several hidden threats linked to heat waves often go unnoticed. With climate change intensifying the frequency and severity of hot spells, some forecasts suggesting 40 °C days could become a regular feature in the next 12 years, it’s essential to understand these lesser-known risks and how to protect yourself.

1. Skin reactions triggered by common medications

Certain widely-used medications can increase sensitivity to sunlight, making people more prone to rashes, blistering, and sunburn—even on cloudy days. This includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, some antibiotics such as doxycycline, statins, antidepressants, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Keep ReadingShow less