Burton, who became the first man to hold the post last year, wants students to consider a career in nursing and has shared his experience of how rewarding it can be for both men and women.

The latest figures show just one in eight of the nurses and health visitors working in the NHS are male, with just under 47,300 men compared to nearly 321,200 women.

Burton's appeal comes days after the government showed its commitment to supporting newly-qualified nurses and midwives by launching its Graduate Guarantee, unlocking thousands of jobs and ensuring there are enough positions for every newly-qualified nurse and midwife to apply for this year.

He said: ‘I'd like to congratulate everyone getting exam results today and would encourage anyone considering their next steps to consider a healthcare degree.

‘I've been a nurse for 27 years and it's been incredibly rewarding. I became a nurse because I wanted to help people and provide the very best care, and I still love being a nurse.

‘Our workforce should represent the communities we serve, and diverse teams with different perspectives deliver better patient care.'

Extra support will also be provided for student nurses as part of the government's 10-Year Health Plan, meaning travel expenses will be reimbursed faster. The process of confirming course completion will also be sped up so that new nurses can start work sooner.

Minister of state for care, Stephen Kinnock, said: ‘We've listened carefully to the concerns of students, and we're taking action. Through our 10-Year Health Plan, we're breaking down barriers by expanding apprenticeship opportunities and widening routes into nursing and midwifery.

‘The NHS is undergoing the most significant transformation since its creation, and we need passionate, dedicated people to be part of that journey. You represent the future of our health service and will be at the forefront of building an NHS that's fit for the future.'