NATIONALISTS accused the Welsh government at the weekend of losing control of rising NHS agency staff costs.

Plaid Cymru said that the Welsh Labour-run government was “failing to get a grip” on “out-of-control” spending on private agency staff in the NHS.

According to figures published by the Welsh government, the spend on NHS agency staff was over £320 million for 2022, a £60m increase over 2021 costs.

Plaid Cymru spokesperson for health and care Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “The spend on private agency staff is out of control.

“Year on year this figure escalates, proving that the Welsh Labour government has utterly failed to get a grip on this spend, despite repeated assurances that the issue will be addressed.

“It is preposterous to think that at a time when the Welsh government says that it has no money to make an improved pay offer to striking workers, that so much money is going to private firms.

“The situation is especially absurd when staff are leaving NHS employment in droves and often come back to work in the same place, just at a greater cost,” Mr ap Iorwerth said.

A Welsh government spokesperson said: “The increase in the costs of agency staffing in both 2020-21 and 2021-22 reflects the impact of the pandemic.

“We are considering how we could develop new ways of flexible working for our NHS staff as we implement the national workforce implementation plan to deal with current pressures.

“There are more staff working in NHS Wales than ever before and this year we are investing record levels in training and professional education.”