Matej Mikulic
Research expert covering health, pharma & medtech
NHS staff shortages
The National Health Service (NHS) in England, one of the world’s largest employers, is grappling with a severe staffing crisis, as evidenced by the alarming vacancy numbers across various healthcare roles. In the third quarter of 2024/25, there were over 106,000 vacancies in the NHS workforce, with 27,000 positions alone needed in nursing. Yet at the same time, NHS staff vacancy rates have shown signs of decreasing, particularly nursing vacancies, which are at their lowest since 2017. Nevertheless, the number of doctors and nurses leaving the workforce has been steadily increasing. These contrasting data highlight different aspects causing the staff shortages. Retention strategies aimed at the current workforce may be equally, if not even more, important than recruitment planning. Despite some signs of improvement in staffing levels, persistent understaffing has taken its toll as widespread staff burnout has led to a mental health crisis among healthcare workers.
Mental health: leading cause of NHS sickness absences
Mental health issues have emerged as the main cause of staff absences in the NHS in England, according to data from 2024. Anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric illnesses accounted for nearly a quarter of all sickness absences among NHS employees during this time. This is unsurprising when considering the significant portion of NHS staff reporting feeling burnt out due to their work, with three in ten employees always or often experiencing burnout in 2024. The strain on existing staff is further demonstrated by the fact that over half of surveyed employees reported working unpaid overtime the same year, with most putting in up to five extra hours per week without compensation. These findings emphasize the ongoing pressure faced by NHS staff and the need for continued efforts to address burnout and manage workloads effectively.Staff shortage crisis: repercussions among the public and staff
The staff shortage crisis is felt keenly by both the public and staff. A recent survey showed that public satisfaction in the NHS has taken a nosedive, from a peak of 70 percent in 2010 to a mere 24 percent in 2023, the lowest in the recorded period. The same survey revealed that a lack of staff was one of the main reasons for dissatisfaction with the NHS. Staff dissatisfaction is equally palpable, as more than four in ten NHS staff stated they did not have enough staff at their organization for them to do their job properly. Meanwhile, three in ten employees often thought of leaving their current organization. On the bright side, staff reports, whether on burnout or staff levels, are showing signs of improvement compared to 2022. Nonetheless, the crisis is far from over and support, especially for the mental wellbeing, of overstretched staff should be a focus of the industry leaders.
