Diane Dodds MLA DUP examines the Northern Ireland Audit Office report on temporary nursing staff, highlighting the sharp rise in agency nursing costs and the lack of effective workforce planning. She argues that while agency nurses remain essential during emergencies, long-term dependence is unsustainable. The discussion explores safer staffing legislation, NHS waiting lists, staff retention, community healthcare, Hospital at Home services, and the urgent need for better workforce planning to improve patient care while reducing unnecessary spending on agency staff.

Northern Ireland Audit Office Report – The Use of Temporary Nursing Staff in Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Audit Office report examines the continued dependence on temporary nursing staff across the Health and Social Care system. Although a new agency framework reduced off-contract spending, agency costs have more than tripled since 2018-19 and remain significantly higher than elsewhere in the UK. The report identifies persistent workforce shortages, inadequate long-term planning and poor value for money. It recommends stronger workforce planning, better staff retention, improved use of internal staff banks, clear agency reduction targets and benchmarking against other UK health systems.