4th January 2012

Contractor staff could help NHS reforms

The implementation of the NHS reforms could be helped by assistance from contractor and temporary staff, it has been suggested.

Tom Hadley, director of policy and professional services at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), remarked that contractors and flexible staffing options will come into their own as the changes are brought in.

The observations come as the government is continuing to debate the Health Bill and the future of the NHS in a bid to cut down of expenditure.

In the latest round of possible adjustments, the NHS Confederation delivered a report suggesting that around 25 per cent of patients would be better off being treated and cared for in their homes, which opens up a number of questions regarding how to staff home-care.

Mr Hadley added: “Specialised agencies in the sector will continue to provide a crucial outlet by ensuring that suitably skilled and properly vetted staff are in the right place at the right time.”

He also noted that the healthcare department at the REC is keen to “actively promote the contribution of temporary and locum staff to the delivery of front line services” when it comes to the reformation of the health service.