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NHS Dumfries and Galloway spends £1m a month on locums NHS Dumfries and Galloway spends £1m a month on locums
(1 day later)
More than £1m a month has been spent on locum doctors in Dumfries and Galloway since April.More than £1m a month has been spent on locum doctors in Dumfries and Galloway since April.
A new report has revealed that almost £5.2m has been spent on temporary doctors in the region in the first five months of the financial year.A new report has revealed that almost £5.2m has been spent on temporary doctors in the region in the first five months of the financial year.
It reflects ongoing problems faced by the local health authority in recruiting permanent medical staff.It reflects ongoing problems faced by the local health authority in recruiting permanent medical staff.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway chief executive Jeff Ace said the situation was not sustainable in the long term.NHS Dumfries and Galloway chief executive Jeff Ace said the situation was not sustainable in the long term.
"We are still forecasting that we will break even this year but if you look at a two or three-year plan, we certainly could not manage that level of locum expenditure, so there's a financial concern," he added."We are still forecasting that we will break even this year but if you look at a two or three-year plan, we certainly could not manage that level of locum expenditure, so there's a financial concern," he added.
"But it's much more, I think, about the concern that we need to have a sustainable and long-term workforce of these highly-skilled consultants and GPs locally to provide the service.""But it's much more, I think, about the concern that we need to have a sustainable and long-term workforce of these highly-skilled consultants and GPs locally to provide the service."
Much of the locum spending outlined in the board's latest revenue report is associated with providing cover for hospital-based vacancies.Much of the locum spending outlined in the board's latest revenue report is associated with providing cover for hospital-based vacancies.
'Competitive market''Competitive market'
Expenditure in this area is already £1.1m higher than at same point last year.Expenditure in this area is already £1.1m higher than at same point last year.
Earlier this year there were 23 vacant consultant posts in the region.Earlier this year there were 23 vacant consultant posts in the region.
The situation has improved slightly since then - there are currently 17 unfilled positions - but recruitment remains a major challenge.The situation has improved slightly since then - there are currently 17 unfilled positions - but recruitment remains a major challenge.
Earlier this week it emerged that 12 GP posts are also lying vacant in the region.Earlier this week it emerged that 12 GP posts are also lying vacant in the region.
Mr Ace said the recruitment of GPs and consultants was a "real challenge" for rural health boards across the UK.Mr Ace said the recruitment of GPs and consultants was a "real challenge" for rural health boards across the UK.
He added: "We are redoubling our efforts in terms of recruitment but we are in a very competitive market.He added: "We are redoubling our efforts in terms of recruitment but we are in a very competitive market.
"We are also working with other health boards to see if there are some mutual aid type arrangements that allows us all to get a network of skills that we can bring to bear on our local population.""We are also working with other health boards to see if there are some mutual aid type arrangements that allows us all to get a network of skills that we can bring to bear on our local population."
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