• Freedom of Information data obtained by the Labour party highlights workforce shortages
• Findings suggest the overall NHS vacancy rate has risen to 9%, compared with 8.4% last year
• NHS trusts report the hardest posts to fill include radiology, paediatrics and elderly care

Responding to the Labour story on NHS vacancy rates, the director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, said:

“These findings reflect what we are hearing from the NHS frontline – that worries over staff shortages and skills are the number one concern for leaders of NHS trusts.

Worries over staff shortages and skills are the number one concern for leaders of NHS trusts

“As we highlighted in our recent workforce report, many provider trusts – hospital, mental health, community and ambulance services – are struggling to recruit and retain the staff they need to deliver high-quality care for patients and service users. 

 
“We called for a credible and coherent workforce strategy with plans and policies to support trusts to recruit and retain the staff they need.

“The draft workforce strategy, published last week by Health Education England, was a sensible and constructive start to that process, but the need for action is urgent and the plans will take time to deliver.”