Reducing the Cost of Agency Working in the NHS

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:35 pm on 29 January 2019.

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Photo of Jenny Rathbone Jenny Rathbone Labour 1:35, 29 January 2019

Thank you very much, First Minister. Clearly, we have to replace people if members of staff become sick, particularly at very short notice. But it seems that there is an issue with the use of agencies that don't passport on what the health board is paying for those staff, as opposed to having bank workers who are able to come in at short notice. So, I think there's a particular issue here around the cost of agency working, which some health boards are managing much less efficiently than others. I'm glad to hear about the new strategic plan that the Government has, because I'm sure this money could be better spent on patients.