Record numbers of doctors and nurses are working in the NHS in England for the third consecutive month, official data reveals.

Provisional workforce figures from NHS Digital show that 124,078 doctors and 304,542 nurses were working in the NHS as of March this year – 5,600 more doctors and 10,800 more nurses compared with last year.

The data also shows an increase of 56,953 NHS hospital and “community health service staff” in the 12 months to February 2021 when 1,189,345 staff were recorded.

“It is hugely encouraging to see the number of doctors and nurses has peaked yet again, with over 124,000 doctors and 304,000 nurses working in our NHS,” said health secretary Matt Hancock.

“Our expanding NHS workforce will help to provide safe care to patients and continue the success of the vaccination programme, as we work to tackle backlogs and build back better.”