A LABOUR MSP has called for an investigation into the use of locum consultants at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary's A&E department.

Richard Baker has hit out at the ongoing practice after it was reported a doctor had to to be flown from India to cover for a weekend at the city hospital.

It comes as the Scottish Government called for the local health board to put in place adequate staff arrangements in place to ensure that cover is available.

The consultant was paid more than £5,000 for his services in addition to a £2,000 bill for his flights.

Mr Baker, MSP for the North East, has called for an immediate review across all emergency medical departments.

He said: "The situation at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary needs to be investigated as a matter of urgency. How can this be a valid use of limited resources?

"Having to fly doctors half way round the world at huge cost cannot be sustainable and there needs to be a Scotland-wide investigation into where else this type of practise has happened before.

"The SNP Government must take responsibility for the NHS recruitment crisis and do something." An NHS Grampian spokesman added: "We recognise locum costs are high, and do try to minimise their use, but cover was essential this weekend because of short-notice­ ­sickness absence."

A government spokesman said: "Staffing levels are increasing in NHS Grampian and the board have been successful in their recent attempt to recruit A&E consultants.

"They have also agreed to a further increase in recruitment, and that is currently ongoing."