§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he intends to review the amount agencies charge the National Health Service for hiring medical staff for work in hospitals or as locums; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorNo. Health authorities may have to pay over 120 per cent. more for an agency doctor than they would for an NHS-employed doctor doing the same job. The spending on agency staff increased from £26.3 million in 1984–85 to an estimated £32.2 million in the current year. I have today told health authorities that the amount that they can pay agencies supplying locums will be pegged at 1987–88 levels. This will save some £750,000 in England this financial year. I am consulting health authorities, the medical profession and the agencies about proposals designed to produce further savings in future years.