The tender process went live today for a new framework for the
supply of medical and dental agency workers or locums.
It's part of the continuing push by Northern Ireland's Health and
Social Care system to control the use of agency workers and build
its substantive workforce.
It follows work to phase out high-cost off contract nursing and
midwifery agency workers, and a complete halt to the use of
agency social workers.
Under the latest initiative, the Business Services Organisation
has launched a tender process inviting suppliers to join a new
framework for the supply of agency doctors and dentists for
health service organisations. The new tender will enable HSC to
establish a framework of locum agencies that have been vetted and
have made a commitment to meet a range of quality and governance
standards and key performance indicators. It will support HSC
organisations to meet their needs for flexible staffing in a safe
and cost effective manner and within a framework of agreed terms
and conditions.
Once the tender process is complete, Trusts and other Health and
Social Care organisations will be permitted to use only those
suppliers on the agreed Medical and Dental Agency Framework.
Eliminating the use of off contract temporary staffing is a key
priority. Off contract means not covered by pre agreed terms and
conditions. The new framework for the supply of agency doctors
and dentists is in addition to frameworks established for agency
nurses, midwives, and other staff groups across Northern Ireland.
Health Minister said: “Everyone in
Health and Social Care is clear that off contract expenditure is
not a cost-effective use of taxpayers' money. It can lead to a
lack of workforce continuity, with the potential to undermine
safe care and staff morale. Launching the tender for the supply
of agency doctors and dentists is a further step in our
commitment to reduce the use of locum staffing and invest in our
HSC workforce.”
Neil Guckian, Chief Executive Western Health and Social Care
Trust and Chair of the Regional Agency Reduction Implementation
Group said: “Controlling agency spend is the right thing to do,
and not just for cost reasons. We are endeavouring to improve the
health service and stabilise our workforce. Our staff have told
us that excessive agency use is unfair and impacts on their
morale. We deeply appreciate the commitment of our substantive
workforce and we are determined to fill our vacancies, stabilise
our teams and work in partnership with trade unions to strengthen
and ensure the benefits of working in HSC are promoted and
understood by the entire health workforce.”
The tender is due to close week commencing 24 March 2025.
