Locum consultants cost trust £700k

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The Western Health and Social Care Trust spent more than £700,000 on substitute consultants in five months due to a shortage of senior staff.

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, revealed the April to August figures in response to a question from the Independent MLA, Dr Kieran Deeney.

Dr Deeney described the practice as costly.

"If we had adequate permanent staff we'd have cover for consultants and senior medical staff to take holidays.

"As far as I'm concerned it is a lot of money.

"It works out at about £140,000 a month or £35,000 a week, which is over and above the cost of permanent staff."