A&Es using locum doctors to fill senior gaps

Almost one in four A&E departments in hospitals in England fill more than 25% of their senior staff vacancies with agency doctors or locums.

The reliance on freelance staff to fill senior posts costs hospital trusts more than £120m a year.

Some trusts have far higher rates of vacancies filled by locums, with three trusts running at rates of more than 50% and the highest at 69%.

Dominic Hughes reports.