Caithness councillors demand answers from NHS Highland over £8m locum spend on psychiatric services
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Councillors in Caithness want answers from the new boss of NHS Highland over “the significant cost” of providing locum psychiatrists in the north.
They have written to chief executive Fiona Davies after a Freedom of Information request from a member of the public revealed that almost £8 million has been spent on locum and agency psychiatric services in the Highlands over the five-year period from 2019 to 2023.
A breakdown of the statistics reveal that £1.266 million was spent in 2019; £1.258 million the following year; £1.224 million in 2021; £2.225 million the year after and £1.924 million in 2023 although that is only for 10 months, taking the total to £7.897 million.
By contrast, £1.797 million was spent on such services over the same period by NHS Borders while the figure for NHS Orkney was £659,459. The amount of money spent on providing locum psychiatrists in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area was £12.728 million.
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Ron Gunn, who is the chairman of Caithness area committee and the Caithness Health Action Team, said “large amounts of money have been spent" on psychiatric locum cover in the north and pointed out that a permanent post has been vacant for some time.
“I was wondering could you inform me what actions have been taken to fill this post? Is there specific reasons why this post cannot be filled and what barriers do NHS Highland face when trying to fill the post?” the Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor, who was contacted on the issue by a concerned constituent, asked Ms Davies.
His ward colleague Matthew Reiss said other north councillors have contacted the chief executive about “this long-running problem” and he wanted to “add his voice to theirs”.
He told Ms Davies: “NHS Highland faces extraordinary challenges from Scottish Government due to their woeful funding arrangements but this is one area where providing a permanent solution might very well save money over time.”
Thurso provost and councillor Struan Mackie said: "Recent press has highlighted the significant cost of locum staff, while permanent posts are yet to be filled.
“I would greatly appreciate an update on the actions being undertaken to fill these roles and ensuring that a permanent and cost-effective solution for the taxpayer is found as soon as possible.”
Wick and Northeast Caithness councillor Jan McEwan hopes the new chief executive, who took up the post last month, “might have a meeting with some of us”.
Two councillors from Sutherland have also expressed concern about the cost of providing locum psychiatrists in the Highlands.
The member of the public, who obtained the various FoIs and accesses mental health services but does not wish to be named, said it is “heart-warming to see that four Caithness councillors and two from Sutherland have spoken up for patients who have to endure the revolving door of locum psychiatrists,” but was dismayed the other representatives did not contact the chief executive on the problem.
“For almost six years patients have had to endure a ridiculous number of locums who provide no stability to patients, permanent staff, Police Scotland and Highland Council departments. What is the point of an elected representative if they ignore the most vulnerable in society,” said the person.
NHS Highland has been contacted for comment.
