'Brass neck' jibe over Lib-Dem leader's health bill blast
THE leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats has criticised the amount of money spent on agency health staff in Wales — and been accused of having a "brass neck" in response.
Kirsty Williams (left) was referring to the £260million spent over the past five years on locum, agency or other non-permanent staff.
-
The amount dropped slightly last financial year.
Ms Williams said: "It is astounding that when we see wards and services closed because of a lack of staffing, last year the NHS in Wales still spent £55million on locum or agency staff when it could have been employing full-time medical staff to treat people across the country.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
"Over the last five years, the NHS in Wales has spent over £58million on agency and locum nurses, midwives and health visitors.
"That money could have employed nearly 2,500 full-time nurses over the past five years. Instead, Labour and (Health Minister) Lesley Griffiths's record on the NHS is one of ward closures, cancelled operations and missed waiting times."
A spokesman for the Welsh Government said "The Welsh Lib Dem Leader has a brass neck. Her party's support for slashing the Welsh Government's budget in the name of austerity has been nothing short of a national disgrace.
"Despite Lib Dem-Tory cuts, the Welsh Labour Government's commitment to the NHS could not be clearer. We have invested more than 40 per cent of our total budget in health and social services. As a result, there are now an additional 1,800 frontline staff working in the NHS in Wales than there were in 2007, with 302 more consultants and 86 more GPs working in our local communities.
"At the same time, there are 801 fewer administration and estates staff."
Comments
by Neathboy234
Sunday, September 09 2012, 7:54PM
“It's easy to knock the LD, we have to remember without them there would be no government both in London and in Cardiff. Just think of the utter mess we'd be in without the influence of Clegg and co”
by weslangdon
Sunday, September 09 2012, 10:12AM
“"i am paul, i am special and my favourite hobbie is cycling and line dancing"
this was posted by my son who thought he was being funny I have asked the admin to remove it but as of yet they haven't so apologies to anyone offended.”
by siarad2
Saturday, September 08 2012, 9:38PM
“Sorry...
Sorry, failed to add comment : Gateway Time-out
Well it's not 'internal server error' for a change.
So has there been a U-turn, didn't the gov. say the NHS spending has been ring-fenced at inflation+ until 2013
Also where has the more than doubled NHS spending gone since 1997.”
by siarad2
Saturday, September 08 2012, 9:33PM
“Sorry...
Sorry, failed to add comment : Gateway Time-out
Well it's not 'internal server error' for a change.
So has there been a U-turn, didn't the gov. say the NHS spending has been ring-fenced at inflation+ until 2013
Also where has the more than doubled NHS spending gone since 1997.”
by siarad2
Saturday, September 08 2012, 9:29PM
“So has there been a U-turn, didn't the gov. say the NHS spending has been ring-fenced at inflation+ until 2013
Also where has the more than doubled NHS spending gone since 1997.”
by paul0453
Saturday, September 08 2012, 8:41PM
“Weslangdon & Sochat- I didn't comment on who is in power in Wales. I commented that the Lib-Dems are always looking for a bandwagon to jump on. They never suggest solutions.”
by Neathboy234
Saturday, September 08 2012, 8:29PM
“sochat i don't care who's in power, be they Labour, Tories, Plaid, or LD just as long as the extreme right wing are not. UKIP and the BNP should be rejected at all times.”
by sochat
Saturday, September 08 2012, 8:24PM
“paul0453
liebor are in power in Wales you moron.”
by Neathboy234
Saturday, September 08 2012, 7:30PM
“Well we know what labour would do with the Welsh NHS, they are doing it now. Mind you they are doing a better job than is happening in england”
by weslangdon
Saturday, September 08 2012, 7:13PM
“i am paul, i am special and my favourite hobbie is cycling and line dancing”