A vacancy is defined as a post that is unfilled by permanent or fixed-term staff. Some vacant posts may be filled by agency or temporary staff, but these posts are still considered to be vacancies.
The number of vacancies is the difference between the number of reported full-time equivalent (FTE) permanent or fixed-term staff in post and planned workforce levels (i.e. the total funded or budgeted establishment on an FTE basis). The number of vacancies is on an FTE basis.
The vacancy rate is a calculation of the FTE number of vacancies as a percentage of planned FTE workforce levels.
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NHS workforce vacancy rates in the South West Q1 2018/19 - Q4 2025/26, by sector
In March 2026, the regional vacancy rates of the NHS workforce in the South West of England region varied greatly per sector. The NHS workforce vacancy rate in the fourth quarter of 2025/26 stood at **** percent in the specialist sector, whereas it stood at almost *** percent in the sector of mental health. Vacancy figures decreased in March 2020, which corresponds to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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NHS. (May 28, 2026). Vacancy rates of the NHS workforce in the South West of England region from Q1 2018/19 to Q4 2025/26, by sector [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 23, 2026, from /statistics/1297983/nhs-south-west-workforce-regional-vacancy-rate/
NHS. "Vacancy rates of the NHS workforce in the South West of England region from Q1 2018/19 to Q4 2025/26, by sector." Chart. May 28, 2026. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 23, 2026. /statistics/1297983/nhs-south-west-workforce-regional-vacancy-rate/
NHS. (2026). Vacancy rates of the NHS workforce in the South West of England region from Q1 2018/19 to Q4 2025/26, by sector. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 23, 2026. /statistics/1297983/nhs-south-west-workforce-regional-vacancy-rate/
NHS. "Vacancy Rates of The Nhs Workforce in The South West of England Region from Q1 2018/19 to Q4 2025/26, by Sector." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 28 May 2026, /statistics/1297983/nhs-south-west-workforce-regional-vacancy-rate/
NHS, Vacancy rates of the NHS workforce in the South West of England region from Q1 2018/19 to Q4 2025/26, by sector ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1297983/nhs-south-west-workforce-regional-vacancy-rate/ (last visited July 23, 2026)
Vacancy rates of the NHS workforce in the South West of England region from Q1 2018/19 to Q4 2025/26, by sector [Graph], NHS, May 28, 2026. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1297983/nhs-south-west-workforce-regional-vacancy-rate/
