The number of recruiters who were withdrawn from NHS PASA (Purchasing and Supply Agency) agency frameworks following PASA audits rose to 11 in 2008-2009 compared to 8 in the previous year.

The breakdown for 2008-2009 is as follows:

- agencies supplying allied health professionals, number of audits completed 71 -  agencies withdrawn 1

- agencies supplying medical locums, number of audits completed 53  - agencies withdrawn 1

- agencies supplying nursing staff, number of audits completed 346 - agencies withdrawn 9
 

In 2007-2008 – three agencies withdrew voluntarily from frameworks following their annual audit. Five were removed from frameworks for non-compliance with the contract.

Helen MacCarthy, NHS PASA facilities management and utilities director, told Recruiter: “If agencies are audited and they are not meeting the quality threshold, and they do not improve, they will be taken off. It’s all about improving quality and standards for the NHS.”

The total spend on temporary staffing through the frameworks in 2008/2009 was £536.5m

This was made up as follows:

Medical locums - £145m
Nursing - £109m
Allied health professionals - £55m
Health & social services  - £26.5m
Total spend on non-medical non-clinical frameworks was  £201m.