A Department of Health survey carried out in March found that 6.4 per cent
of pharmacist posts in the National Health Service in England had been vacant
for at least three months.
Only technical operating theatre staff and a group described as “other”
among non-medical staff had higher rates of
vacancy at 6.6 per cent and 10.7 per cent respectively.
The vacancy rate for pharmacists varied widely around the country, ranging from
no vacancies at 23 of the 99 English health authorities to 29.8 per cent at
Bexley and Greenwich health authority.
The Department’s findings compare favourably with the most recent vacancy
survey carried out on behalf of the NHS Pharmacy Education and Development Committee
during 1999 which found a 14.7 per cent vacancy rate (PJ, June 10, p866).