Norfolk and Suffolk NHS trust: Permanent staff 'could have saved £3.7m'

The Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust spent £24.8m on temporary staff

A mental health NHS trust spent £24.8m on temporary staff in 2014-15 but could have saved £3.7m by recruiting its own people, a board meeting has been told.

Temporary staff were needed by Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust (NSFT) to cover sickness and unexpected demand.

Over the past three months the amount spent on temporary staff at the trust has been cut by £400,000 to under £2m.

Trust chief executive Michael Scott said the NSFT was working to reduce the need for temporary staff.