Justin Madders MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister, responding to Jim Mackey’s comments to The Times about agency staff, said:

“The soaring agency bill, which is bleeding the health service dry, is not the fault of NHS staff but a direct consequence of David Cameron’s disastrous policies. 

"Cuts to nurse training places have left hospital wards dangerously understaffed, forcing NHS bosses to waste huge amounts of money on expensive agency staff. This is impacting on patient care and leaving important tasks being left undone. This situation is likely to get worse because of David Cameron and Jeremy Hunt’s decision to scrap student nurse bursaries.

“Ministers need to get a grip of the staffing crisis now engulfing the NHS and tell patients how they intend to turn this situation around.”