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NHS staff vacancies 'reaching crisis point' after rise of 10% in last year with tens of thousands of roles left unfilled NHS faces 'unprecedented workforce crisis' as vacancies rise 10% in last year
(35 minutes later)
The number of NHS staff vacancies in England jumped by 10 per cent in the last year, with tens of thousands of posts left unfilled, official figures have revealed. The number of NHS staff vacancies in England jumped by more than 10 per cent in the last year, with tens of thousands of posts left unfilled, official figures have revealed.
Labour accused Theresa May of taking health service staff for granted and overseeing "an unprecendented workforce crisis in the NHS".
In March this year, there were 30,613 vacant full-time NHS positions being advertised, compared to 26,424 in the same month in 2016, and 26,406 in 2015.In March this year, there were 30,613 vacant full-time NHS positions being advertised, compared to 26,424 in the same month in 2016, and 26,406 in 2015.
Nearly 40 per cent of the vacancies in March 2017 were for nursing and midwifery positions, 11,485 in total – with nurses warning patient safety is suffering as people are deterred from becoming nurses by “low pay, relentless pressure and new training costs”.Nearly 40 per cent of the vacancies in March 2017 were for nursing and midwifery positions, 11,485 in total – with nurses warning patient safety is suffering as people are deterred from becoming nurses by “low pay, relentless pressure and new training costs”.
The new figures show that the average NHS nursing and midwifery role is only drawing three applications. The new figures show that the average NHS nursing and midwifery role is only drawing three applications. 
Janet Davies, head of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), warned that "NHS staffing levels are reaching crisis point".Janet Davies, head of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), warned that "NHS staffing levels are reaching crisis point".
“At the very moment the NHS needs to be recruiting more nursing staff, we learn the number is falling and the NHS finds itself advertising for more jobs we know it cannot fill,” she said.“At the very moment the NHS needs to be recruiting more nursing staff, we learn the number is falling and the NHS finds itself advertising for more jobs we know it cannot fill,” she said.
“A lethal cocktail of factors is resulting in too few nurses and patient care is suffering. The Government desperately needs to keep the experienced staff still working in the NHS.”“A lethal cocktail of factors is resulting in too few nurses and patient care is suffering. The Government desperately needs to keep the experienced staff still working in the NHS.”
Nurses have threatened to strike for the first time in history over staff shortages and low pay, with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) calling the Government’s decision not to scrap a 1 per cent pay freeze for NHS staff “a bitter disappointment”.Nurses have threatened to strike for the first time in history over staff shortages and low pay, with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) calling the Government’s decision not to scrap a 1 per cent pay freeze for NHS staff “a bitter disappointment”.
Ms Davies said the true number of unfilled jobs "is far higher than the number of online adverts".Ms Davies said the true number of unfilled jobs "is far higher than the number of online adverts".
The data was collected from NHS Jobs, the main recruitment website for the NHS – but each advert may stand for multiple vacancies.The data was collected from NHS Jobs, the main recruitment website for the NHS – but each advert may stand for multiple vacancies.
Justin Madders, Labour's shadow health minister, said a repeat of last winter's chaotic scenes, with A&E patients lined up on trolleys in corridors to be seen, "is simply intolerable".
“For years the Tories have taken NHS staff for granted and asked them to do more for less, resulting in a recruitment and retention crisis which threatens patient care on a daily basis," he said.
“Frankly the Government’s solution of hiring expensive agency staff or asking hard-pressed existing staff to cover extra shifts is not in the best of interests of patients or medical professionals. 
“The public is under no illusions: a repeat of last winter’s crisis is simply intolerable and Theresa May must now take urgent action to secure a sustainable workforce in our NHS.”
Phillipa Hentsch, head of analysis at NHS Providers, told The Independent health trust bosses saw issue of recruitment and retention of NHS staff "is now as serious as concerns over funding".Phillipa Hentsch, head of analysis at NHS Providers, told The Independent health trust bosses saw issue of recruitment and retention of NHS staff "is now as serious as concerns over funding".
“There are several factors behind this, including tough language tests, and the uncertainty that Brexit has created for current and potential EU staff. We are also seeing the impact of pay cap, prompting staff to seek work elsewhere," she said.“There are several factors behind this, including tough language tests, and the uncertainty that Brexit has created for current and potential EU staff. We are also seeing the impact of pay cap, prompting staff to seek work elsewhere," she said.
“Trusts will do all they can to ensure safe care for patients, but where they can not recruit to roles they may be forced to rely on expensive agency staff, or stop services altogether. Both of these options are unsustainable in the long term.”“Trusts will do all they can to ensure safe care for patients, but where they can not recruit to roles they may be forced to rely on expensive agency staff, or stop services altogether. Both of these options are unsustainable in the long term.”
The figures come as England's chief inspector of hospitals warned that Brexit poses a "threat" to the NHS workforce, as the health service struggles to recruit enough nurses, doctors and support staff from EU countries.The figures come as England's chief inspector of hospitals warned that Brexit poses a "threat" to the NHS workforce, as the health service struggles to recruit enough nurses, doctors and support staff from EU countries.
Professor Sir Mike Richards told the BBC there is "no doubt that the workforce of the NHS and indeed the care system generally is absolutely critical and we do need to have more staff".Professor Sir Mike Richards told the BBC there is "no doubt that the workforce of the NHS and indeed the care system generally is absolutely critical and we do need to have more staff".
But "if we are leaving the EU there is a threat to that, which we need to make sure is being dealt with so that we are not losing staff and we can then replace them if necessary to grow our own, if you like".But "if we are leaving the EU there is a threat to that, which we need to make sure is being dealt with so that we are not losing staff and we can then replace them if necessary to grow our own, if you like".
Liberal Democrat shadow health secretary Norman Lamb said "the NHS is finding it harder and harder to recruit the staff it needs, yet still this government is refusing to end years of cuts to pay".Liberal Democrat shadow health secretary Norman Lamb said "the NHS is finding it harder and harder to recruit the staff it needs, yet still this government is refusing to end years of cuts to pay".
A Department of Health spokesperson said: “Staffing is a priority - that's why we have invested in the frontline and there are almost 32,400 more professionally qualified clinical staff including almost 11,800 more doctors, and over 12,500 more nurses on our wards since May 2010.”A Department of Health spokesperson said: “Staffing is a priority - that's why we have invested in the frontline and there are almost 32,400 more professionally qualified clinical staff including almost 11,800 more doctors, and over 12,500 more nurses on our wards since May 2010.”
Between October 1 2016 and December 31 2016, a total of 81,674 vacancies were advertised with an average of 10 applications per role.Between October 1 2016 and December 31 2016, a total of 81,674 vacancies were advertised with an average of 10 applications per role.
During this period, 31,197 nursing or midwifery positions were advertised gaining an average of three applications per role.During this period, 31,197 nursing or midwifery positions were advertised gaining an average of three applications per role.
Figures for the same period in 2015 show that 28,713 nursing or midwifery positions were advertised, earning an average of four applications for each role.Figures for the same period in 2015 show that 28,713 nursing or midwifery positions were advertised, earning an average of four applications for each role.
NHS Digital said the figures should be treated with caution as a job advertisement can be used to fill one vacancy, multiple vacancies or an ongoing recruitment programme.NHS Digital said the figures should be treated with caution as a job advertisement can be used to fill one vacancy, multiple vacancies or an ongoing recruitment programme.
Commenting on the figures, Dr Mark Holland, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said the removal of the Government's 1% cap on public sector pay rises was long overdue.Commenting on the figures, Dr Mark Holland, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said the removal of the Government's 1% cap on public sector pay rises was long overdue.
He said: “Removing the pay cap on NHS staff, particularly the lowest paid, is long overdue, while the extra pressure on overworked frontline staff to meet targets must be eased.He said: “Removing the pay cap on NHS staff, particularly the lowest paid, is long overdue, while the extra pressure on overworked frontline staff to meet targets must be eased.
“This data shows it is high time we saw steps taken to stop disincentivising staff - salaries must be fair, working conditions must be safe and sustainable and clear career pathways must be in place.”“This data shows it is high time we saw steps taken to stop disincentivising staff - salaries must be fair, working conditions must be safe and sustainable and clear career pathways must be in place.”