A CAMPAIGN by the Department of Health and Social Care to recruit more paramedics, radiographers and nurses has been backed by Central Devon MP Mel Stride.

The national recruitment drive is aimed at teenagers preparing to apply for university, people looking to embark on a different career and people who are already qualified and ready to apply for vacancies.

It is the latest phase of the ‘We Are The NHS’ recruitment campaign, which is encouraging people to find out more about the careers in the NHS.

The government aims to recruit 50,000 more nurses and 26,000 more primary care professionals by 2024-2025.

Mr Stride said: ‘In the past 12 months the number of NHS nurses has increased by over 8,500 and the latest UCAS statistics show increasing numbers of people applying to study nursing at English universities.

‘But with rising demand there are more than 43,000 nursing vacancies, leaving our NHS stretched. I hope this drive is successful in getting more people to think about a career in our much-cherished National Health Service.’

Students training towards the careers highlighted in the campaign will benefit from the new £5,000 annual maintenance grant to help with their living costs.

Extra payments worth up to £3,000 a year will also be available for specialisms that are struggling to recruit, or those with childcare responsibilities.