There are more people working in the health service than there has been for the past five years, yet staff are under increased pressure due to growing waiting lists and vacancies in key areas.
From June to December last year there were 1,652 additional vacancies within the Northern Irish health service, rising from 6,357 to 8,009 during that six month period.
That includes 229 consultant, locum and specialty or associate doctor [SAS] posts as well as 2,850 nursing and midwifery roles.
