NHS vacancies increase beyond 2008 levels
7th August 2009
The number of vacant positions across the NHS increased by 836 in the 12 months to March 31st 2009, new figures show.
This reflects a vacancy rate increase of 1.6 per cent over the year, the latest data from the NHS Information Centre shows.
Vacancies in dental and medical staff roles, excluding training grades, rose by 8.2 per cent to about one in four (28 per cent), while there are vacancies in over a fifth (21 per cent) of qualified nurse roles.
GP vacancies looked healthier with an increase of only 1.6 per cent, or 18 per cent of positions, compared to the overall total.
Chief executive of the NHS Information Centre Tim Straughan said: 'Today's figures show a slight increase in the rates of long-term vacancies among most groups of NHS staff for the first time in at least five years, but remaining lower than 2006 or before.'