Overpaid locum doctors are a symptom of the NHS’S wastefulness
sir – You report (October 12) that some locum doctors are earning £3,500 for a shift.
This is surely intolerable at a time when the NHS is severely strapped for cash. Many of these locums are being paid just for being on call.
Hospitals must agree on maximum nationwide rates to be offered to consultants for a single shift. No ifs, no buts – and, above all else, no timeconsuming consultations on the matter.
Michael Batchelor
Swansea
sir – The fees paid to locum doctors have underlined, once again, the incompetence of hospital management and the Government.
Why are these agencies’ extortionate charges being paid when the “staff bank” system has operated in hospitals for many years – and could provide the same service at a hugely reduced cost?
Bill Parish
Bromley, Kent
sir – It beggars belief that the Government has still not fixed the long-standing problems caused to doctors (and others) by the inequitable tax rules regarding pensions.
The additional cost to the NHS must far outweigh any revenue loss from rectifying this anomaly. Surely the answer is to have sensible limits on each year’s tax-allowable contribution to a pension scheme, which is the point at which tax relief is given, and to scrap the lifetime allowance, which is purely a penalty on prudent provision for retirement and sound investment management.
John Bushell
Leatherhead, Surrey
sir – What is happening to the NHS? I know a young man who, while playing rugby at school last week, broke his collarbone in two places.
He was told he needed surgery and was hoping to have the operation on Friday – but they could not fit him in. He is now waiting until some time this week to receive proper treatment.
In the meantime, he is in considerable pain. Apparently, had his injuries broken the skin, he would have been operated on immediately – but they did not. I cannot believe that he has been allowed to suffer like this for so long.
Something has to be done, as I am sure his case is not unique. We need to recognise that the NHS is no longer fit for purpose – and change the way we access healthcare.
Patricia Jagger
Bedford
sir – I was amazed to read that hospitals are complaining about walking aids not being returned (report, October 10).
I have had major knee surgery twice in recent years, and each time the hospital has declined my offer to return crutches and other walking aids. Local charity shops have also refused to accept these on health and safety grounds.
Bill Mason
Chorley, Lancashire