Bumped up locum pay offers 'concerning' - activists

By Iveren McCallion

Activists say claims of bumped up pay offers to get cover for Daisy Hill A&E shifts are concerning.

It's after some consultants said they were offered £1,500 a shift to be on call there.

Daisy Hill Emergency Department's future remains uncertain due to staff shortages.

It's at risk of being closed during night-time hours because the Southern Trust is struggling to fill permanent positions.

Campaigners from "save our emergency department" say poor planning and lack of communication has created this issue which affects all five Health Trusts.

In a statement the group's committee said, "For the past number of years, despite the obvious need for increased staff, not enough Doctors have been trained. Those that have been trained face the choice between taking up training posts with poor pay and long hours or locum shifts with better pay and less contractual obligations."

They added, "We as a committee emphatically support the need to increase the pay rate for all of our  underpaid health professionals however all staff must be treated equally."

A spokesperson from the Southern Health Trust said,"In the context of continuing difficulties with the recruitment and retention of consultant medical staff at the Daisy Hill Emergency Department, the Emergency Department continues to be supported by locum doctors paid at existing locum rates."

The spokesperson continued, "Locum consultant cover in Daisy Hill Hospital’s Emergency Department is substantially provided by a core of 5 locum consultants, with additional sessional cover as required."

The Southern Trust says it pays locum doctors the industry standard at £115-£133 per hour.