The number of unfilled vacancies in the NHS shows the ‘enormous pressure’ the health service is under, NHS Employers has warned.
Recent statistics show that there are currently 93,964 NHS vacancies in England alone, including 37,917 vacant nursing posts, with a year-on-year rise in vacancies of as many as 6,000, marking an increase of almost 7%. Of these, 83% were permanent and 17% were fixed-term.
The data also showed that in September 2018 there were 28,623 advertised vacancy full-time equivalents in England published, compared to 28,242 in 2017, 29,309 in 2016 and 26,982 in 2015.
“I see a real commitment from the national NHS leadership to implement the Long Term Plan, as well as more pressing actions that must be taken to address this grave situation. It is clear, however, that the NHS will need support from other parts of government to improve the recruitment and retention of our people,” said the group’s chief executive Danny Mortimer.
“The immigration white paper, apprenticeship levy, public sector pensions and our training and education budgets all need addressing with reform or investment, and with some urgency.
“We must also be able to strengthen the pipeline of talent from all corners of the globe, as it will take time to build up more domestic supply and there is still a great deal of uncertainty for our EEA colleagues over a future immigration model. We also await confirmation over whether the £30,000 salary threshold for migrant workers will be imposed.”
