NHS vacancy rates continue to fall

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Statistics published by the NHS Information Centre show that vacancy rates across the NHS are continuing to fall, with few positions remaining unfilled for three months or more.

Long-term vacancy rates for all of the main staff groups is now below 1% for all staff groups, according to the statistics.

The figure for nurses remaining unchanged at 0.5% and GPs had the lowest long-term vacancy rates of 0.3%.

Rates for hospital doctors and dentists fell from 1.1% to 0.9%.

The survey, which is produced quarterly, is the result of data collected between March and June.

Chief executive of the NHS Information Centre, Tim Straughan said: 'This is good news for patients because low vacancy rates are likely to contribute towards better continuity of care.'