SURELY there is a simple solution to reduce the estimated £500 million costs for agency nurses working in the NHS. If we paid the nurses a decent wage and provided a contract that would encourage them to work full time in the NHS, this massive agency bill would be drastically reduced.

These agencies are sourcing the NHS via the privatisation route. The agencies make millions, drain NHS resources and we are paying twice for a less effective service.

Roy Saralis, Yew Grove, Woodfieldside, Blackwood.