LEDBURY'S MP, Bill Wiggin MP stood up in the House of Commons this week to help limit what he sees as the "increasing privatisation in the NHS".

He argued for central reporting and registration of agency staff employed by NHS trusts, services and facilities, to help keep an eye on NHS funding and costs.

In particular, he wants a closer watch on agency workers, in the NHS system, claiming sick pay.

Mr Wiggin, MP for North Herefordshire, presented a 10 Minute Rule Motion in Parliament on Tuesday October 18, and he said: “I want to support and congratulate the Government in its work to limit the increasing privatisation of the NHS because I am against the principle that private agencies can control the NHS spending, and because I do not want the NHS open to abuse, which can be the case under our current system.

"I propose that a database of all workers within the NHS, agency and direct employees, exists, and takes notes of when they are working or claiming sick pay."

Speaking about the current reliance on agency workers, Mr Wiggin said: “Permanent NHS staff struggle to fill certain gaps in their staff, either due to a lack of individuals, or a lack of specific skills. This is a particular problem in rural areas.

“The Government’s work to cap the amount paid to agencies for their staff in NHS organisations is so important. So far in 2015-16 this price cap has saved £300 million.”

Mr Wiggin said of the 10 Minute Rule Bill: "This requires agency staff to be centrally registered on the NHS, including their sick days.

"Whilst the vast majority of workers who are employed by both such organisations are honest, hard-working people, there are inevitably always a few that seek to abuse the system."