NHS 'paying £200 an hour'

Published on 03/01/2009 00:07

NHS hospitals are paying agency staff up to £200 an hour to cover shifts, the Tories claimed yesterday.

Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act showed some agencies were taking large commissions. The Tories said English NHS organisations were paying agency nurses and non-clinical staff "hugely inflated" hourly rates.

Almost 800 million was spent on agency staff in 2006-7, though the Department of Health insists this is falling.

Andrew Lansley, shadow health secretary, said: "Labour's dithering and chaotic, short-term planning has let down NHS staff."