The number of vacant full-time positions in the NHS increased by 10% in the last year, according to data from NHS Digital.

The figures from NHS Digital show that there were 86,055 advertised full-time vacancies in the NHS in England in the first quarter of 2017. In the same period last year there were 78,112, a 10% increase year-on-year.

In March of this year, there were 30,613 vacant full-time positions advertised, compared to 26,424 in the same month in 2016, a rise of 16% and the highest month on record since collection of the figures began in February 2015.

Meanwhile, 38% of the vacancies in March 2017 were for NHS nursing and midwifery positions. However, the average nursing or midwifery role is attracting three applications, according to figures. The figures also showed that 6,575 jobs advertised were for administrative and clerical staff, making up 21% of all adverts. There were 4,043 advertisements for medical and dental jobs, equal to 13%.

Meanwhile, a Department of Health spokesperson told the BBC: "We expect all parts of the NHS to make sure they have the right staff, in the right place, at the right time to provide safe care - which is why there are almost 32,400 more professionally qualified clinical staff including almost 11,800 more doctors, and over 12,500 more nurses on our wards since May 2010."

“NHS staffing levels are reaching crisis point,” Janet Davies, head of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) told the Independent. “At the very moment the NHS needs to be recruiting more nursing staff, we learn the number is falling and the NHS finds itself advertising for more jobs we know it cannot fill.” She warned that patient care is suffering. Meanwhile, nurses are threatening to strike over low pay and staff shortages.