Call for cuts to cost of locums

HOSPITALS could save £6 million a year if they used locum doctors more efficiently, a public spending watchdog has said.

In 2008-9 health boards spent around 47m on locum doctors, who cover other medics who are off sick or on holiday, or when posts are vacant. The total is around double the amount spent in real terms in 1996-97.

Audit Scotland said money could be saved if those boards with the highest bills for locums reduced their costs to the national average.