§ Annette BrookeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health by what procedure recruitment agencies achieve recognition by an NHS trust; and what steps he takes to monitor their performance. [4189]
§ Jacqui SmithIndividual national health service trusts have their own procedures for recruiting staff and may use a variety of ways to select recruitment agencies.
442WThe NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency helps by awarding, where appropriate, national or regional contracts for medical locums or nurses. The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency monitors the performance of the contracts that it awards by holding regular meetings with the NHS trusts and the agencies involved to monitor whether the NHS is receiving value for money. The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency inserts a clause in these contracts that allows it to carry out an audit of the contracted agencies.
The NHS Professionals Agency which will be set up from August 2001 will provide a non-profit making staffing service for the NHS. Initially it will provide nursing staff, but eventually will also cover other medical staff. The NHS Professionals Agency will oversee training and continuing personal development, give temporary staff a better employment package, and will provide a cost-effective staffing solution for the NHS.