Unions voice fears over increase in locums at Wellington Hospital

: A surge of spending on temporary staff in the health sector is causing apprehension about safety. “Public Service Association national secretary Erin Polaczuk said she was ‘concerned’ about the surge in spending on locums, particularly in the allied health area. An overuse of locums could have a ‘major impact’ on patients, she said. ‘There is no continuity of care and in some areas this can lead to a loss of trust, which is very important in areas such as mental health. There is also more chance of crucial changes in a patient's condition being missed, which can have tragic consequences.’”