§ Lord Howie of Troonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why National Health Service Wales has decided not to use National Health Service Professionals for the supply of temporary nursing staff to National Health Service trusts in Wales; and what the key factors were in this decision. [HL3936]
§ Lord Evans of Temple GuitingFull consideration was given to temporary nurse staffing issues in Wales, and in particular the significant costs incurred by the use of these staff, following the Audit Commission report,Brief Encounter—Getting the best from Temporary Nursing Staff.
NHS trusts in Wales have full responsibility for the employment of temporary staff, including nurses, and make arrangements suited to their local needs rather than relying on another agent such as NHS Professionals. The National Assembly for Wales, in conjunction with Wales NHS trusts, is exploring the development and introduction of a single all-Wales contract that would reduce the levels of expenditure on agency nurse staffing in Wales.