A NURSING union is warning of an impending workforce crisis in the NHS after a survey showed that hospital trusts in the region had 1,204 vacant nursing posts.

The findings for the North-East and Cumbria were part of a national report published today (MON) showing there are nearly 20,000 nursing vacancies currently unfilled in England.

The Royal College of Nursing said this "hidden workforce crisis" could have serious consequences for the NHS.

Figures show that while official numbers show the NHS in England has lost 3,859 full-time nurses, midwives and health visitors since May 2010, the scale of the problem of understaffing is far larger.

New research showed an average six per cent vacancy rate in nursing posts - replicated across the NHS this would amount to nearly 20,000 full time equivalent nursing vacancies.

The RCN is calling for mandatory workforce planning to be developed along with regular workforce reviews.

Dr Peter Carter, general secretary of the RCN said: "The latest news about the scale of nursing understaffing has to be a wake-up call to the NHS - we sit on the verge of a hidden workforce crisis that desperately needs addressing to ensure the NHS runs properly and patients get the care they deserve.

"Understaffing remains a real issue across the NHS, and we know that many Trusts are down to the bone in terms of the number of frontline nursing staff they have due to cutting posts to save money.

Glenn Turp, regional director for the North-East and Cumbria, said: "Over the last few years, there have been numerous reports and inquiries into standards and quality in the NHS. All have identified safe staffing levels with the right skills mix as the key ways in which quality of care can be improved.

"Too often, we have seen junior staff, and unregistered staff being asked to provide complex clinical care for patients."

"While in some cases, trusts are now responding to the Francis Inquiry by seeking to fill posts, we have examples in this region of more senior posts being replaced with junior posts, in an effort to save money."

Officials at the South Tees Hospitals Trust said they currently have about 40 nurse vacancies and are actively recruiting.

A spokeswoman for North Tees and Hartlepool Trust said they have 45 vacancies and are "recruiting at the moment".

A spokeswoman for the County Durham and Darlington Trust said they have 118 nursing vacancies but are "running a vigorous recruitment campaign".