Nurses caring ‘for too many patients’ as vacancy rates rise again

Around one in ten NHS nursing jobs remain unfilled leaving already stretched service struggling to cope.

The number of unfilled NHS nursing jobs in England has risen again after falling slightly earlier this year.

Between March and June of this year, the number of vacant nursing positions across the NHS in England increased by 3,243 taking the total to a staggering 43,339.

With the number of applications to study nursing also falling by a massive 13,380 in just two years, experts admit they are concerned about how the NHS is going to cope.

In real terms, the figures mean around one in ten NHS nursing jobs remain unfilled.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned the high vacancy rate will leave the health service “underprepared” for winter.

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Source: Nursing Notes, 25 August 2023