Please note: the NHS and GP vacancy collections and publications have been suspended since 2011. Both of these collections were reviewed as part of the Department of Health (DH) led Fundamental Review of Data Returns, the consultation ran from August 2011 closing on 22 November 2011, the consultation responses are presently being considered by DH.

The publication of the government's response to the fundamental review consultation is currently expected later in 2012. The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) together with the vacancy collections policy/sponsor colleagues at the DH reviewed the suspension decision. Taking account of feedback received and latest information available it was agreed that the current situation will remain, the two vacancy collections will continue to be suspended subject to the findings of the fundamental review. This will ensure that the HSCIC can devote sufficient resources to other areas of workforce information, such as information on workforce numbers and turnover which are of a greater strategic value and greater relevance in the present recruitment climate.

Following the outcome of the Fundamental Review expected later in 2012, we will then consider the future of the vacancy collections in 2013 and beyond. We will keep you informed of the next steps.

You can comment on the above via email: enquiries@ic.nhs.uk

The purpose of these surveys are to highlight problems with recruitment so that they can be addressed.

They focus on three month vacancies within NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) and GP practices.

Data is presented for both the number of three month vacancies and the three month vacancy rate.

Vacancies rates are generally falling and the numbers involved are often quite small. Caution is needed when looking at some of the smaller areas of work within the main staff groups as the numbers of staff in post and the number of vacancies are small and can show large rates.

Note: For 2008 these surveys were extended to include total vacancies, this data is to be treated as experimental.