London Agency Project

HC Deb 20 January 2003 vol 398 c133W

Dr. Evan Harris

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the London Agency Project. [89654]

Mr. Hutton

The London Agency Project has been developed by national health service trusts in London to improve both the quality of temporary agency workers supplied to the NHS from commercial agencies and to achieve value for money for public services.

Phase one of the London Agency Project was implemented on 1 September 2001. 29 agencies were awarded a place on the phase one London framework agreement to supply specialist nurses to London trusts. Phase two of the London Agency Project was launched in April 2002 for the procurement of all other nurses and midwives and health care assistants. As a result, 72 commercial agencies have been awarded a place on the phase two framework agreement that comes into effect on 1 April 2003.