In certain regions, a recent report highlights a critical shortage of senior doctors within the NHS, with one out of every three top doctor positions remaining vacant. Data obtained through Freedom of Information requests revealed that over 33,000 consultant roles were available on the NHS Jobs website in England and Wales between 2022 and 2025. This number could adequately staff more than 66 large hospitals. The British Medical Journal (BMJ) report disclosed that the NHS spent £674 million on hiring expensive agency doctors in 2024/25, often taking up to a year to fill a single vacancy.
A resident doctor at a trust in north London described the current situation as chaotic, with the existing medical staff working at maximum capacity, resulting in longer patient wait times and exhausted doctors by the end of their shifts. Dr. Shanu Datta, co-chair of the British Medical Association’s consultants committee, emphasized the significant shortage of consultants, stating that the current staffing levels are insufficient to meet patient needs and maintain service quality.
The first-ever long-term workforce assessment of the NHS in 2023 revealed a shortfall of 150,000 permanent staff required for the service to operate effectively in England. This shortage was attributed to years of financial constraints under the previous government. Moreover, a study conducted by Cambridge University identified that understaffing within the NHS leads to at least 4,000 additional deaths annually.
Recent analysis indicated a 15% deficit in anaesthetists, crucial medical professionals responsible for administering anesthesia prior to surgical procedures. The Royal College of Anaesthetists conducted a survey among clinical leaders across the UK, where 8% reported daily treatment delays due to staffing shortages, with 36% experiencing weekly delays in hospital services due to the lack of anaesthetists.
Surveying 116 recruitment managers, the BMJ report highlighted the challenges faced in hiring consultants. Half of the managers anticipate an increased need for consultants in the upcoming year, yet only 5% expect a rise in their recruitment budget. Consultant vacancies were reported to have a significant negative impact on waiting times (61%) and quality of care (54%). Additionally, 27% of managers stated they frequently rely on overseas candidates to fill demanding consultant roles.
To address the recruitment crisis, the report recommended restructuring specialist training programs to cultivate more domestic consultants in understaffed areas and eliminate recruitment bottlenecks. Phil Johnson, director at BMJ Careers, stressed the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action, especially with the new government’s commitment to reducing agency spending and international recruitment.
An NHS England spokesperson emphasized ongoing efforts to reduce agency spending and enhance workforce planning through a collaborative 10-Year Health Workforce Plan with the government. Similarly, the Scottish government is working closely with health boards to minimize reliance on agency staff and ensure cost-effective staffing solutions. The Welsh Government reported an increase in the number of doctors within the NHS, with a decrease in spending on agency and locum staff, demonstrating a commitment to further reducing costs in the future.