Long-term vacancy rates have fallen for most major NHS staff groups in England with the exception of midwives and GPs, according to data from The NHS Information Centre.

The NHS Vacancies Survey, England, 31 March 2010 shows that 0.5% (4,667) of jobs across the NHS overall have been vacant for three months or more (three-month vacancy rate), compared to 0.6% (5,529) the previous year and 1.6% (14,876) in 2005.

Total vacancies stood at 2.1% (21,351), compared to 2.9% (28,616) the previous year. 

However, while the survey also shows that for midwives the three month vacancy rate was 1.2% (255) compared to 1% (191) the previous year and 1.8% (348) in 2005. The total vacancy rate was 2.7% (559) compared to 3.4% (693) the previous year.

A separate report shows the estimated three-month vacancy rate was 0.5% (32) compared to 0.3% (14) the previous year. The total vacancy rate was estimated to be 2.1% (125), compared to 1.6% (79) the previous year.

NHS Information Centre chief executive Tim Straughan says: “These survey figures show a slight dip in long-term vacancies for most of the main staff groups in the English NHS. However midwives and GPs seem to be the exception to the general pattern. Such findings will be of use to the NHS in showing which job roles appear to be difficult to fill.”