Ahead of controversial reform, the NHS and healthcare recruiters need to take a long term strategic approach to resourcing challenges, according to Zack Feather, director of healthcare staffing specialist Pathology Group.

Feather told Recruiter: “The NHS is waking up to the fact that there are better means for procurement options out there for them. Pressure has been put on them from above to get cost savings and added value. In years gone by it was all about could you save us any money but these days they are looking for an added value service. You may give us doctors but are they of the best quality? Will it make a difference to my department if I take a locum doctor off you?”

Feather says NHS departments need to ask why they need a locum as well as being aware what their targets are.

“It could be that they have three vacancies they are trying to juggle at the moment which is having an adverse effect. You have to sit down and get a strategic approach with the department across all service specialities.”