HSE spent almost €26 million on locums over six months

The money spent by the HSE on hiring locum doctors would equate to employing approximately 300 extra consultants over the same period of time.

THE HSE SPENT almost €26 million on locum doctors over a period of six months, from January to the end of June this year.

The Medical Independent reports that this cost would equate to employing approximately 300 extra consultants over the same period of time – the equivalent of increasing the consultant workforce by 12 per cent.

According to information released under the Freedom of Information Act, the HSE spent a total of €25,640,976 on locums in six months across 32 hospitals, with Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda spending the most at €2,150,132.

The Regional Maternity Hospital Limerick spend the least out of the hospitals included, with €2,193 going on the hiring of locum doctors.

For more information read James Fogarty’s report in the Medical Independent>

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