Written Question · S5W-11849 · Session 5
In light of reports that NHS Grampian and NHS Highland account for 75% of all locum spending, what assessment it has carried out of the ext…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that NHS Grampian and NHS Highland account for 75% of all locum spending, what assessment it has carried out of the extra costs involved in the boards hiring locums; what action it is taking to support them to reduce the number hired, and what impact that the use of locums is having on patient care.
The answer
The 75% figure reported in the media relates only to NHS Boards in the north of Scotland. Overall, this is 35% of the total Scottish spend.
Scottish Government and NHS Boards have access to information from National Procurement and national information systems on Medical locum and Nursing Agency spending. This includes monthly reports on Board performance and contains information on expenditure and the cost of individual locums used by NHS Boards. This information helps Boards appreciate and tackle their locum spend.
In order to reduce NHS Boards spend on agency staff we have established Regional NHS Staff Banks. Currently there are around 35,214 nurses and 2,889 doctors registered with Staff Banks across Scotland and numbers continue to rise as recruitment is on-going. These Banks give Boards access to appropriately trained staff working on NHS contracts at NHS rates of pay.
We have also reviewed the Medical Framework Contract which supplies up to 80% of Medical Locums at controlled rates of pay consistent with NHS rates. NHS Boards have been instructed to use only agencies on this Contract. Boards have also implemented strengthened governance arrangements to ensure that all avenues are explored before agency staff are sourced.
Health Boards, as NHS employers, have full delegated powers to meet their service provision responsibilities, including resourcing to manage patient care, and to deliver high quality, safe and sustainable services. While Scottish Government provides the policies, frameworks and resources to help them provide high quality health care, it is for each NHS Board to decide how best to deliver those services to meet patient needs.
Scottish Government and NHS Boards have access to information from National Procurement and national information systems on Medical locum and Nursing Agency spending. This includes monthly reports on Board performance and contains information on expenditure and the cost of individual locums used by NHS Boards. This information helps Boards appreciate and tackle their locum spend.
In order to reduce NHS Boards spend on agency staff we have established Regional NHS Staff Banks. Currently there are around 35,214 nurses and 2,889 doctors registered with Staff Banks across Scotland and numbers continue to rise as recruitment is on-going. These Banks give Boards access to appropriately trained staff working on NHS contracts at NHS rates of pay.
We have also reviewed the Medical Framework Contract which supplies up to 80% of Medical Locums at controlled rates of pay consistent with NHS rates. NHS Boards have been instructed to use only agencies on this Contract. Boards have also implemented strengthened governance arrangements to ensure that all avenues are explored before agency staff are sourced.
Health Boards, as NHS employers, have full delegated powers to meet their service provision responsibilities, including resourcing to manage patient care, and to deliver high quality, safe and sustainable services. While Scottish Government provides the policies, frameworks and resources to help them provide high quality health care, it is for each NHS Board to decide how best to deliver those services to meet patient needs.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-11849 by reference.