AQW 43572/11-15

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 11/03/2015
Answered On Date: 19/03/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail the average hourly cost of an agency nurse, compared with a nurse employed by the Health Service.

Answer:

Nursing Agencies charge a wide range of standard hourly rates which can vary, for example, from around £14.37 to £42.60 in specific circumstances such as, being dependent on when shifts are worked, location and particular agency. In addition the amount the Agency is paid may not be the amount paid directly to the Agency nurse. It is not possible therefore to compare rates in a meaningful way.