The number of doctors and nurses working for East Lancashire hospitals has increased, however, a study has found there is still “persistent short-staffing” in the NHS.

A study by the Health and Social Care Committee criticised the absence of a Government long-term plan to address "stalling recruitment and persistent short-staffing" in the health service, adding the NHS is currently in need of tens of thousands of workers.

The latest figures from NHS Digital show there were the equivalent of 873 full-time doctors as of April at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Royal Blackburn Hospital, Burnley General Hospital and Accrington Victoria Hospital.

This was up from 848 last year and 683 in April 2016 –a rise of 28 per cent over the last six years.

The report by the Health and Social Care Committee said however the NHS must still recruit a further 12,000 hospital doctors to address a current national shortfall.

There was an increase in doctors but there are now fewer midwives at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, with 240 midwives in April, down from 241 last year.

The Royal College of Midwives said people are leaving the industry because "morale is shattered".

The figures also show there were 2,222 nurses and health visitors at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust in April. This is up from 2,191 last year and 1,936 at the start of the pandemic.

But the committee said there is a vast shortage of nurses nationally, with the NHS needing to urgently recruit more than 50,000 nurses and midwives.

The Department of Health and Social Care said it has commissioned NHS England to develop a long-term workforce plan.

Executive director of human resources and organisational development for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Kevin Moynes said: “There are fantastic careers to enjoy in healthcare, filled with opportunity and a great sense of fulfilment and pride.

“Like many NHS organisations we work hard to attract people and invest heavily in our workforce to ensure we not only recruit the best people, but that we keep them here at the Trust to provide safe, personal and effective care to our communities.

“We are really proud of the number of student nurses and doctors who choose to continue their career with us after completing their placements and studies.

“We are one of the biggest employers in the area, so it’s natural there will always be vacancies."