The Struggles of the Temporary Nursing Shortage

It has been revealed in a survey of 400 UK recruitment consultancies and employers; nursing and care staff are the most sought-after temporary workers in the market.

The survey; undertaken monthly by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) and professional service company KPMG, highlights how bookings in October for temporary nursing, care staff and medical staff, expanded at their quickest rate since May. 

However, the companies cited difficulties with hiring such staff due to a shortage of candidates.

According to NHS Digital figures released in September, there are 41,722 nursing vacancies in England that are currently unfilled.

As demand for staff remains robust

Although job vacancies expanded at the softest pace for nearly two years in October, growth of demand for staff remained historically sharp at the start of the fourth quarter. 

Starting salary inflation holds close to multi-year high

Starting salaries continued to rise sharply in October, with the rate of inflation holding close to September’s 41-month record. Hourly pay rates for temporary staff also increased markedly, despite the rate of growth edging down to the least marked since March. 

Driven by sustained fall in candidate availability 

Overall candidate availability declined at the quickest pace for nine months in October. The supply of both permanent workers and temporary staff fell at steeper rates compared to September, with the former noting the sharper pace of reduction. 

Regional variation

All four English regions monitored by the survey registered steep increases in permanent placements, led by the South of England. The Midlands saw the quickest increase in temp billings in the latest survey period, though sharp rates of growth were also registered elsewhere. 

Key findings

– Steeper increases in both permanent placements and temp billings

– Starting salary inflation close to September’s recent high

– Steeper decline in candidate supply

Are you a nurse and are looking to help fill the growing vacancy gaps across the UK then AppLocum can help you find work. Get in contact today and we can find the perfect vacancy to suit your needs. Register and contact us using the details below. 

Website: www.applocum.com

Email: hello@applocum.com

Phone: 0161 711 0655

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