Agency staff ‘keep the NHS going’

In response to Labour concerns about the country’s health care system, the REC has said that agency staff are incredibly important and valuable to the NHS.

The Recruitment & Employment Confederation Deputy Chief Executive, Kate Shoesmith, commented, “Agency staff keep the NHS going. They offer trusts rapid and reliable help to overcome the serious labour shortages in healthcare.

“Our most recent data shows nearly 73,500 active job postings for nurses alone. For patients, the use of agency healthcare staff means more chance of shorter waits for appointments, scans and diagnoses.

“There are staffing frameworks that fix agency wage and margin rates. Recently, we asked the Public Accounts Committee to investigate value for money for all the different staffing arrangements in the NHS. Let’s get some facts in place and then work on solutions.

“Politicians must stop shouting about the symptom and treat the issue. The temptation to agency bash only distracts from the entrenched problems of low pay and poor flexibility offered to NHS staff.

Kate added, “The problem in the NHS is one of staff retention. Agencies are a positive story because they show the NHS how to recruit and retain workers in healthcare by offering a better life/work balance.”

“The cost of the temporary workforce has increased sharply since the pandemic, but this is more to do with the NHS increasing spend on staff banks and off-framework contracts. It is also worth remembering that the money quoted for these shift rates is going to healthcare workers.

“Rather than sideline agencies, politicians and the NHS should work with them to deliver more efficient and better treatment for patients and outcomes. Our door is open and we hope that the relevant parties will be more forthcoming in discussing long term workforce planning solutions with our industry.

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