SYDNEY, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- The use of temporary doctors by Australia's NSW Health has led to major staff shortages at 26 hospitals in the state of New South Wales, a report said.
The Sydney Morning Journal reported Saturday that with the public health group spending $35.2 million more a year on temporary doctors rather than permanent staff, the quality of medical services is suffering.
With NSW Health targeting such temporary workers, many hospitals are struggling to fill numerous emergency department shifts with appropriate staff.
One agency that offers such temp workers has identified 26 area hospitals that are at a crisis point because of the employment dilemma.
Those hospitals, that include 21 public medical facilities, are being forced to bid against one another to gain the services of such temporary doctors.
Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Vice President Sally McCarthy said that by focusing on the temporary workers, known as locums, NSW Health is creating an unfair marketplace.
"But the health service is happy to compete against other hospitals for locums, bidding up the price," she told the Morning Journal.
