Tories hit at agency nurses bill

Apr 2 2008 by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail

THE NHS spent £12m on employing agency nurses last year to fill in vacant shifts.

Despite the ongoing huge cost of employing agency staff, the annual agency nursing bill is falling in Wales.

But the Welsh Conservatives, who uncovered the latest figures, said the money could be better spent on training more staff.

Jonathan Morgan, the Shadow Health Minister, said, “Only this month we learned that 602 NHS posts have been vacant for three months or more. These sorts of problems have a direct impact on patient care.

“Money spent on agency staff could be better used on training more staff, and helping NHS trusts meet their requirements set out in Agenda for Change such as providing staff with their personal development plans as promised.”

A Welsh Assembly Government spokesman said, “A great deal has been done to reduce the use and cost of agency nursing in the NHS.

“We have significantly increased investment in training, improved workforce planning and working to improve working conditions and encourage more family- friendly hours for staff.”