Is NHS being overcharged by agencies – or are staff shortages the real issue?
My village companies idea has identified a clear pathway for rural communities to mutualise their home care needs for vulnerable people. In our model they can pay well over the minimum wage to employees on contracts, with holidays, pensions and training and still retain a small surplus to reinvest in improving the quality of life of their residents. All of which suggests there is “another way” with many NHS costs. Makes you think in the light of this article.
So why is so much being spent on agencies?
Monitor found that overspend on agency staff arose from a need to “cover vacancies and unplanned demand”. Foundation trusts have consistently cited recruitment difficulties, particularly in qualified nursing and medical staff and in accident and emergency, the regulator said.