§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what savings for the NHS(a) have been achieved and (b) are projected to be achieved from the establishment of NHS Professionals; and how (i) has the money been re-directed and (ii) will the money be re-directed; [39674]
(2) pursuant to the oral answer to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Tom Brake) of 11 December 2001, Official Report, column 699, if he will make a statement on the value of money improvements achieved by NHS Professionals in London, indicating how much money (a) has been saved and (b) is projected to be saved. [39781]
§ Mr. HuttonEstimates of detailed cost savings have not been completed.
NHS Professionals charges a management fee to recoup operating costs currently set at a maximum of 7.5 per cent. This compares favourably with that of commercial agencies as highlighted in the Audit Commission report 'Brief Encounters——Getting the Best from Temporary Nursing Staff'. This report indicated wide variations in the commission rates charged by agencies with an averaging charge of 20.5 per cent.
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§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NHS trusts will be permitted to contract with commercial nurses' agencies to administer temporary staffing services to the specification laid out for NHS Professionals. [41725]
§ Mr. HuttonHealth Service Circular 2001–02 highlights the aim that NHS Professionals will be used by all NHS organisations as the primary supplier of all temporary staffing requirements for the NHS with, as and when necessary, contracts agreed with commercial agencies to meet any surplus demand. The circular also encourages NHS organisations to review their arrangements for accessing supplementary staff and skills, and to work with their Regional Offices to agree an implementation plan for NHS Professionals across their local health economy.