Health Secretary must respond to serious concerns about locum doctors: Finnie

1.21.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 9th Jul 2010

Commenting on the letter which warns that lives will be put at risk if deficient locum doctors continue to fill gaps on Scottish hospital wards sent to the Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon by a consultant in a Scottish hospital, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Ross Finnie said: “Rigorous checks must be carried by hospitals employing locum doctors to ensure that patients are never put at risk during their stay.

“It is therefore hugely concerning that some NHS consultants would not let some locum doctors, employed by hospitals across Scotland, treat their own family members staying in hospital.

“The Health Secretary and Health Boards need to make sure that consultants and junior doctors work to minimise the risk posed to patients by locum doctors.”