HOSPITAL bosses in Dorset say they have made significant progress recruiting nurses amid fears of a staffing 'crisis' in the region.

New figures released by the NHS have revealed that more than 85 per cent of nursing vacancies remain unfilled in the south west.

The statistics from NHS Digital reveal that in the quarter (April 1 - June 30 2017), of 3,691 vacancies advertised, only 535 (less than 15 per cent) were filled.

The Royal College of Nursing said the figures show that the NHS is "desperately short" of nurses, and it urged the government to act.

Figures for Dorset from NHS Digital reveal there were 150 nursing vacancies advertised at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester for the period. There is no data for how many of those posts were filled – although the RCN said the average 'fill rate for the Wessex region was 11 per cent.

Dorset HealthCare, which provides mental health and physical health services in hospitals and the community, disputed the figure for the number of nursing vacancies quoted for the period (340). It could offer no further comment yesterday.

Jeannett Martin, Regional Director of the Royal College of Nursing, South West Region, said: “These figures are further proof that the NHS is desperately short of nurses. The Government can no longer deny the staffing crisis and must act now to address the problem.

“The NHS is busier than ever and is losing experienced nurses quicker than it can find new ones. Long-serving staff are feeling demoralised and pushed to leave nursing in droves.

“Record pressure, inadequate funding to provide safe care, poor pay for staff and the prospect of huge debt from training is putting people off joining the profession.”

Dorset County Hospital said despite figures from last year, the hospital was no actually doing well compared to others in the region.

A DCH spokesman said: “Our vacancy rate for all nursing posts was 3 per cent in December 2017, which was the lowest level since June, largely due to progress we’ve made in recruiting healthcare assistants.

“In terms of ward-based registered nurses we currently have 35 vacancies which we expect to fill this year."

The spokesman added: "Nursing is at the heart of our hospital and we are always looking for compassionate, skilled nurses. We take great pride in our staff and invest in their development through a robust support programme. We have a nursing recruitment day coming up on February 10 so would love to see anyone interested in working at Dorset County Hospital then.”