Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by David Evennett (Conservative) on Monday, 22 July 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 24 July 2019. It was answered by Stephen Hammond (Conservative) on Thursday, 25 July 2019 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Nurses: Vacancies

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many unfilled NHS nursing posts there were in (a) London and (b) England in each of the last five years.

Answer

NHS Improvement collects vacancy data for three staff groups; doctors, nurses and ‘other staff’. These vacancy statistics are published for England and at the regional level of North, Midlands and East, London and South.

NHS Digital published the latest NHS Improvement vacancy data which can be found in the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-vacancies-survey/february-2015---march-2019-provisional-experimental-statistics

The latest statistics show that as of March 2019, there are over 39,500 nursing and midwifery vacancies in England. In London, there are over 9,300 nursing and midwifery vacancies. The majority of these are filled by bank and agency staff.

NHS Improvement and NHS Employers have been working in partnership to deliver a national programme of action to support National Health Service trusts to improve retention of the nursing and clinical workforce. This provides targeted support to trusts on key issues affecting retention, such as flexible working, supporting new starters and older workers, and development and career planning.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
280143
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Nurses Vacancies
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk