NHS dependence on staff from overseas has soared to more than 20 per cent of the workforce, research revealed today, with the percentage of overseas doctors and nurses being even higher.

Nurses’ leaders have condemned the government for “choosing the short-sighted option of international recruitment over domestic investment” to counter staffing shortages.

Analysis by the Press Association news agency revealed record levels of overseas staff in the NHS — many from poorer countries with their own health staffing shortages.