Hospital bosses across the NHS have been instructed to clamp down on doctors exploiting lucrative locum shifts during strike action, as concerns grow over spiralling costs to the health service.
Senior officials warn that some medics are allegedly profiting from the disruption by picking up highly paid temporary roles while their colleagues walk out – a practice described as "double-dipping".
Strike Chaos Fuels Locum Boom
The ongoing wave of industrial action has created unprecedented demand for temporary staff, with some locum doctors reportedly earning over £1,000 per shift. This has led to accusations that some practitioners may be prolonging disputes to benefit financially.
NHS Spending Under Scrutiny
Health service leaders are particularly concerned about:
- Skyrocketing agency costs during strike periods
- Potential conflicts of interest among striking doctors
- The long-term impact on NHS budgets
One trust chief executive told reporters: "We're seeing some individuals potentially gaming the system. It's unacceptable when NHS funds should be prioritising patient care."
Calls for Tighter Regulations
The Department of Health is now urging hospital managers to:
- Monitor locum shift patterns more closely
- Implement stricter rules around striking staff taking temporary roles
- Share data between trusts to identify potential abuses
Medical unions have defended their members' rights to work as locums, arguing that many are simply trying to maintain income during challenging economic times.
The controversy comes as the NHS faces its most severe financial pressures in decades, with strike-related costs estimated to have exceeded £1 billion already this year.
