Student doctors and nurses to take to frontline in fight against coronavirus

More than 18,000 final year student nurses are to take on active caring duties in the NHS.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed the figure during the latest government coronavirus briefing this afternoon.

A total of 18,700 final year student nurses will take on professional duties along with 5500 final year student doctors.

Calls for staff who had left the NHS had been answered by 11,788 individuals he said, including 2660 doctors and 6147 nurses.

"I want to pay tribute to each and every one of those returning to the NHS at our time of need," Mr Hancock said.

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