'Plans to ban agency workers would save pennies in the short term but would lead to an overall increase in staffing the NHS in the long run’

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has written to the Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting to seek urgent reassurance about the future of agency workers in the NHS given their vital contribution to patient care. 

Reports suggest Wes Streeting will explain more this week about a mooted ban on the use of agency staff at entry-level roles such as healthcare assistants and domestic support workers. 

In the letter sent today (Mon) REC Deputy Chief Executive Kate Shoesmith said a mooted ban on agency workers reported this weekend is a ‘short-sighted and ill-informed’ move. Kate Shoesmith also expressed alarm at the timing of the potential announcement while a major consultation on NHS remains open, and without engaging in any consultation from stakeholders; ‘it betrays the government’s repeated claims that they want to work collaboratively with business’.   

In the letter, Kate Shoesmith said: 

“Banning agency workers represents a fundamental misunderstanding of where the flaws in the NHS staffing lie given contingent workers play a valuable role in maintaining NHS staffing levels and people the choice they want to work in a more balanced, flexible way.” 

REC argues that simply banning agency workers does not resolve this issue, and instead shifts the burden of staffing costs to NHS banks. Banks are not subject to the same pricing controls as agencies are. Banning agency workers would save pennies in the short term but would lead to an overall increase in staffing costs in the long run. A ban would also increase shortages in the NHS as many agency staff would not move into permanent roles, they would just leave the sector. 

Kate Shoesmith said: 

“The agency caps and controls are unfit for purpose having not been revised in the eight years since they were introduced, and this has driven NHS trusts to use more expensive provision. Working with the recruitment industry, the government could completely redesign public sector procurement to provide the best value for patient safety and the taxpayer but our consistent calls for partnership remain ignored. 

“REC would like to work with Wes Streeting to deliver a fundamental review into framework and off-framework practices, to develop a modernised strategy that will help support the wider reforms the system needs.”  

Notes to editors 

Temporary workers, locums and interims play a big part in keeping the NHS on its feet, whilst it tries to stem a crisis of care caused by growing demand and chronic staffing shortages. But the current pay cap imposed by NHS England for the cost of these workers hasn’t changed since 2016. They are an important contributor to the workforce – and yet are regularly left out of bonus rounds, and little to no attention is paid to why people choose to work this way in the first place, argues REC. 

Approximately 500 REC member businesses work in Health and Social Care. REC’s membership also includes hundreds of SMEs who provide clinical and non-clinical professionals to NHS Trusts and local authorities, as well as to the private sector. REC members supply valuable permanent and flexible workers across all bands and services. 

Click here to view all REC press releases and for more information and interview enquiries, contact the REC Press Office on 020 7009 2157, 020 7009 2129 or pressoffice@rec.uk.com. Outside of regular office hours, please call 07702 568 829. 

The REC is the voice of the recruitment industry, speaking up for great recruiters. We drive standards and empower recruitment businesses to build better futures for great candidates and themselves. We are champions of an industry which is fundamental to the strength of the UK economy. 

Find out more about the Recruitment & Employment Confederation at www.rec.uk.com.