Hospital trusts are spending millions of pounds on expensive agency nurses, more than double last year's figures, a report has revealed.

Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), reveals a huge rise in the amount of money that the trusts serving Waltham Forest and the west of Redbridge are spending on temporary nurses.

In figures released yesterday, Barts Health NHS Trust, which runs Whipps Cross hospital in Leytonstone, spent £10,686,000 on agency nurses in 2014/15.

This is a rise of 185 per cent on last year’s figures.

In the same time, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT), which runs King George hospital in Goodmayes and Queen’s hospital in Romford, spent £1,354,865.

At 125 per cent, this is also a huge rise on last year.

The RCN said the problems were caused by poor planning at a time when demand from patients has risen over the winter.

RCN London regional director, Bernell Bussue, said: “London is facing a growing shortage of qualified nursing staff and today’s figures show the cost which employers are having to bear to plug the gaps.

“The government needs to do much more to make London an attractive, affordable destination for nursing staff so that our hospital trusts can plan ahead and get enough permanent staff in place to provide high quality care at the level which patients expect.”

Chief Executive of BHRUT, Matthew Hopkins, admitted the trust was having difficulty recruiting permanent nurses and temporary staff were needed to keep patients safe.

He said: “Like many trusts we face difficulties recruiting permanent consultants.

“We use locum staff to provide patients with the care they need and to keep staffing levels safe.

“Our staff work incredibly hard to deliver excellent care.

“Our aim is to recruit more high quality staff so we can reduce spend on temporary staff and improve care.

“We are working with our academic and local community partners on recruitment."

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