To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to explain the disparity in expenditure on agency nurses between Health and Social Care Trusts in the past five years, as highlighted in his answer to AQW 43571/11-15.

Trust expenditure on agency nurses has been incurred to ensure that safe and effective services are sustained at all times for patients and clients. During 2013/14, the cost of employing agency nursing staff was approximately £11m, which represents less than 0.25% of the total Health and Social Care budget.

There are many reasons for HSC Trusts employing agency staff at different times. These include, for example, cover for sickness, maternity and increases in beds over the winter months.

HSC Trusts have developed internal bank systems – a pool of qualified staff available for ad hoc work. The supply of bank staff however can fluctuate at times during the year across the region, particularly during holiday periods. Therefore, on occasion, service staffing needs will be greater than internal supply can meet and in these exceptional circumstances shifts will go to agencies for cover.

While Locum Doctors will only be engaged where necessary, they are a vital component of the HSC workforce, providing cover when there are vacancies and to cover sick leave and maternity/paternity leave. They are used to cover all grades of medical staff and contribute importantly to maintaining service provision to patients and clients.

Nonetheless, Trusts have been asked to examine reliance upon agency staff and my Department will continue to monitor expenditure closely.