Buying Solutions hits back at discriminatory claims

25-November-2009 | By Colin Cottell

Buying Solutions has hit back at allegations that its auditors are discriminating against foreign nationals, and accused recruiters of passing on “incorrect information” for which it bears no responsibility.

The allegations against Buying Solutions, the government agency that took over many of functions of NHS PASA (Purchasing & Supply Agency) on 1 October, concern blood testing of candidates supplied by agencies who are looking to work in the NHS.

The Department of Health guidelines state only that blood tests “should be considered” to prove immunity from varicella (chicken pox) before staff are taken on.

However, emails seen by Recruiter suggest that Buying Solutions’ auditors are insisting that foreign-born candidates are tested.

A Buying Solutions spokesperson told Recruiter: “I can confirm that, in line with the framework agreement and Department of Health guidelines, where evidence of immunity is required from a temporary worker, the same requirements are imposed upon everyone regardless of their nationality or place of birth. Accordingly we do not consider our practices to be discriminatory. Also, I can confirm that the auditors have not imposed any new guidelines.”

However, according to Robert Carlin, managing director of Healthier Business, a company that provides health screening services to recruiters on NHS PASA/Buying Solutions framework agreements, Buying Solutions’ auditors are insisting that foreign-born candidates go for blood tests.

Carlin says that around 10 recruiters have told him that this has happened to their candidates - an Australian being among the candidates asked for a blood test. Carlin said this behaviour “borders on racial discrimination” because UK-born candidates are not being asked to have blood tests, but are allowed to self certify.

Recruiter has seen emails from clients of Healthier Business, which back Carlin’s claim. Commenting on an audit carried out by Buying Solutions, a member of staff at one agency writes: “It was also pointed out that any locums that are not from this country cannot self declare that they have had varicella. We need to make sure they have a blood test.”

In a separate email, a member of staff at a health recruiter writes: “In NHS PASA’s eyes a declaration for foreign workers is no longer acceptable. Blood test is the only way.”

The Buying Solutions spokesperson responded: “With regards to the alleged communications from recruitment agencies that you detail in your email, Buying Solutions cannot be responsible for incorrect information produced by third parties.”

Tom Hadley, external relations director at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), told Recruiter that following recent feedback from agencies, the REC was seeking urgent clarification.

Hadley said: “With regards to different blood test requirements being imposed on foreign nationals, there are clearly concerns over potential discrimination. The REC has always advised its members to treat all candidates in a consistent way - for example, in terms of checking the right to work in the UK - and we need to ensure that agencies are not put in an invidious position.

“Following recent feedback from agencies regarding NHS audits, the REC has contacted OGC Buying Solutions (which now encompasses the work previously undertaken by NHS PASA) to seek urgent clarification on a number of issues.”