The leading nursing union says a chronic shortage of nurses is forcing hospitals to spend millions of pounds hiring agency workers.
The Royal College of Nursing says the Exeter RD&E paid agencies more than six million pounds last year.
The Government claims that nursing numbers have risen by thousands in recent years, but the RCN says its figures are misleading - as they include school nurses and midwives as well as hospital nurses.
And the RD&E says it's seen a year on year increase in the need for nurses, and has invested more than three and a half million pounds over the last two years in increasing its nursing establishment.
The hospital says it only uses agency staff when necessary to maintain patient safety - and keeps agency costs to a minimum.
Young teenager stabbed in Plymouth
Stalking suspect sought
Plymouth will not delay local elections
'Quarry dust' sparks worries in Kingsteignton
2025 set to smash UK heat records
Man interviewed by council officials amid flag war
