Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Ross Finnie MSP has said that the Government needs to get a grip on the amount of money that NHS Boards across Scotland are spending on locum doctors.

An Audit Scotland report has said spending on locum doctors in Scotland has doubled since 1996/1997 and NHS Boards across Scotland could save almost £6 million a year reducing the number of locums. The report warns that the employment of locum doctors presents potential risk to patient safety and NHS Boards must ensure that this risk is minimised.

Commenting he said:

“It is totally unacceptable that while NHS Boards across Scotland are slashing nursing numbers, the amount of money spent on locum doctors has doubled in the past ten years. Particularly given Audit Scotland warns that employing locum doctors presents potential risks to patient safety

“NHS Boards across Scotland could save nearly £6 million pounds a year if locum numbers are reduced.

“NHS Boards are still flouting rules on use of non contract agencies to employ many of these locum doctors. When we were in Government, NHS Boards were instructed not to use more than two agencies when hiring locums to minimise this risk.

“It is unacceptable that this practice still continues.

“The Government must intervene and stop NHS Boards breaking these rules so that patient care is not compromised.”