The NHS in England is grappling with a deepening staffing crisis, as official figures reveal 110,192 unfilled posts, including 39,652 nursing vacancies and 8,158 doctor vacancies. The data, published by NHS Digital for October to December 2021, shows that one in 10 nursing positions and one in 17 doctors' posts remain empty, representing 8.3% of the total workforce.
The shortage has sparked warnings of longer delays, increased pressure on the campaign to reduce the 6.1 million treatment backlog, and potential harm to patient care. Staff groups attribute the crisis to low pay, burnout, heavy workloads, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to demoralised workers leaving the profession.
Patricia Marquis, director for England at the Royal College of Nursing, said: 'The fact that nursing vacancies remain stubbornly high, at about 40,000 in the NHS in England, is deeply worrying. With every job that remains unfilled, safe patient care becomes even harder to maintain.' Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting criticised the government for scrapping the nursing bursary and failing to address shortages, stating that patients are paying the price.
Regional disparities are evident, with nurse vacancy rates highest in London (13%), the South East (11.3%), and the Midlands (11%), and lowest in the South West (7.9%). Mental health nursing is particularly affected, with one in six posts vacant nationally, reaching over 20% in the East of England and South East. Doctor shortages are worst in the Midlands, where one in 11 posts are unfilled.
Dr Fiona Donald, president of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, warned that the shortfall of 1,400 anaesthetists means around one million fewer cancer, heart, and other lifesaving operations are performed annually. Health Secretary Sajid Javid has promised a 15-year workforce plan by the end of the month, but its detail remains uncertain. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson highlighted recent increases in doctor and nurse numbers and investment in workforce growth, adding that a long-term strategy is being developed.
