If you’ve come across the term "NHS framework agencies" and aren’t quite sure what it means, you’re not alone. At Medical Staffing, we’re here to demystify this critical aspect of healthcare recruitment and explain what it means for you as a locum healthcare professional.
What Are NHS Framework Agencies?
Let’s start with the basics. When NHS trusts need to hire temporary staff—whether nurses, doctors, or other clinical and non-clinical professionals—they typically do so through an approved NHS staffing framework. These frameworks are essentially lists of recruitment agencies that have been rigorously vetted and approved to supply staff to the NHS. Agencies included on these lists are often referred to as "framework agencies."
Framework agencies operate under agreements authorised by NHS England. These agreements help streamline the partnership between the NHS and recruitment agencies, ensuring several key elements:
Standardised Terms and Conditions: Framework agreements establish clear terms for how recruitment agencies can contract with the NHS.
Mutual Expectations: They outline the responsibilities and expectations for both the recruitment agencies and the NHS.
Quality and Compliance Standards: Framework agencies must meet specific standards for quality, compliance, and professionalism.
Adherence to Price Caps: Agencies must follow agreed-upon price caps, ensuring cost-effective staffing solutions for the NHS.
To become a framework agency, a recruitment company must undergo a comprehensive application and audit process. This includes providing detailed information about their processes, policies, and procedures. Only after successfully completing this rigorous evaluation can an agency be awarded a spot on the framework.
Is Medical Staffing a Framework Agency?
Yes, Medical Staffing is proud to be a framework agency. We have built strong, trusted partnerships with NHS employers by being part of major frameworks across the UK, including:
HealthTrust Europe
NHS Workforce Alliance
Crown Commercial Service Supplier
We earned our place on these frameworks by submitting detailed applications that highlighted our commitment to safe and effective recruitment practices. Our stringent compliance processes and dedication to supplying the highest quality healthcare professionals have been key factors in our approval as a framework agency.
Benefits of Working with a Framework Agency
Working with a framework agency like Medical Staffing offers numerous advantages for both healthcare professionals and NHS employers. Here’s a breakdown of those benefits:
For Healthcare Professionals
Access to Opportunities: NHS trusts prioritise filling agency shifts through approved framework agencies. This means you’ll have access to a wide range of roles and opportunities across the country.
Job Stability: By choosing a framework agency, you gain access to a steady stream of work opportunities, providing you with job stability and choice.
Security and Trust: You can be confident that you’re working with a reputable agency that adheres to stringent compliance processes. This reduces the risk of shifts being canceled and offers greater predictability in your career.
For NHS Employers
Thorough Screening: All agency staff are hired in strict accordance with the framework’s compliance requirements, ensuring a high standard of care.
Diverse Expertise: NHS trusts can choose from a broad pool of healthcare professionals, covering various specialisations and expertise.
Scalability: Framework agencies can supply large volumes of qualified staff quickly, meeting the needs of NHS trusts efficiently.
Cost Control: Using a framework agency allows NHS trusts to maintain better oversight and control of recruitment costs.
On-Framework vs. Off-Framework Agencies
While framework agencies are officially approved and operate under specific agreements, some recruitment organisations that haven’t secured a spot on an NHS framework may still provide staff to NHS trusts. These are often referred to as "off-framework" agencies. Although off-framework agencies can still offer staffing solutions, they do not operate under the same strict guidelines and agreements as framework agencies.
Why Medical Staffing
At Medical Staffing, we understand the importance of providing high-quality, compliant, and reliable staffing solutions to the NHS. Our status as a framework agency is a testament to our commitment to ethical recruitment and our ability to meet the rigorous standards set by the NHS. By partnering with a framework agency like us, you can be confident in the opportunities, stability, and security we offer, both for your career and for the quality of care provided to patients.