Measures introduced to cut NHS agency staff costs

The government has announced measures to clamp down on "rip-off" staffing agencies used by the NHS to plug gaps in nursing and doctor rotas.

It will set a maximum hourly rate for temps and cap the amount trusts that are struggling financially can spend.

The agencies' body says they are being scapegoated "for the NHS's own mismanagement of workforce planning".

NHS foundation trusts in England spent nearly £2bn last year on agency staff - more than twice the planned amount.

Dominic Hughes reports.