Western Isles health board paid an agency doctor over £19,000 to work just one week.

The bill for the locum psychiatrist's 40 hours on duty plus the rest of the time on call at NHS Western Isles came to a total of £19,305. The final sum also includes 20% vat.

A health board spokesperson said: "During a period of extended sickness absence in 2013, a consultant psychiatrist was hired from an agency to cover one week’s annual leave for the remaining consultant.

"The locum consultant undertook 40 normal working hours and provided 128 hours on call for which the cost to the Board was £19,305.22.

"This figure is the gross total paid to the agency and includes 20% VAT. "

NHS Western Isles spending on temporary agency consultants rose from £452,000 in 2012 to £1.2 million in 2014.