Health Minister blasts union rep's "irresponsible and toxic" comments

Sat, 23 Dec 2017

Health Minister Kate Beecroft MHK

The Health Minister says comments made by a union representative about the Government's spending on locum doctors as "irresponsible and toxic".

Unite The Union regional officer Eric Holmes claimed locum doctors have too much influence at Noble's Hospital, hampering the Department of Health and Social Care's attempts to recruit permanent staff.

Kate Beecroft is accusing Mr Holmes of spreading false and deliberately provocative misinformation which could create a sense of conflict between doctors and other care professionals.

The DHSC insists spending on locum doctors has decreased significantly during the current financial year.

The Department has hired 14 doctors to permanent positions in recent months, but there are still over 30 vacant positions at the hospital.