Daily Mail: Agency nurse was paid £1,000 for a single shift

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said last night: 'This data confirms the financial folly of employing agency staff rather than permanent staff.

'This strategy always looks like it will save money but actually ends up costing more.

'Hospitals should be more careful with patients' money so there are enough funds for life-saving treatments, many of which are currently restricted on the NHS.'