There are 17 more doctors and 25 more nurses employed by the Whanganui District Health Board (WDHB) now than in 2008.

Latest data from the Ministry of Health shows that, as of March 31, there were 82 doctors and 319 nurses employed by WDHB.

This includes 12 more senior doctors and eight more senior nurses.

Health Minister Tony Ryall said the number of doctors and nurses working in the public health service continued to grow. "For the first time we have over 7500 doctors and over 21,000 nurses working in our public hospitals across the country," said Mr Ryall.

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"This is great news for New Zealanders. More doctors and nurses means faster treatment and better experiences for patients and their families.

"This Government is committed to moving resources from the back office to the frontline.

"The significant increase in doctors and nurses, along with an average increase of around $500 million a year in health spending, has delivered a very big increase in services for patients over the past five years," Mr Ryall said.

A copy of the latest workforce report is available on the Ministry of Health's website.