The REC is continuing to take forward the views and concerns of agencies with regards to the new contract for non-clinical temporary staff within the NHS.   The REC has been in regular dialogue with the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) on the terms and conditions that were published earlier this month.

There are a number of specific issues that are causing real concern for members and that will act as a real disincentive for agencies that commit to the contract.  One of the main areas of contention is the extended hire period clause which agencies feel could be used as a way of essentially enabling Trusts to benefit from a free recruitment service.

The REC Legal and External Relations teams have been working with members with regards to other specific clauses that are in the contract that are either unclear or unworkable.  These are currently being collated and will be sent to NHS PASA early in the New Year.

Commenting on the  campaign, REC Director of External Relations, Tom Hadley says: “Procurement policy is one of the main challenges facing our members and real progress has been made in terms of our relationship with procurement organisations such as NHS PASA. There has been a real effort made to engage with us on this new contract, but there are a number of outstanding issues which we will be taking forward early in the New Year.

“Our aim is to work with NHS PASA to ensure that the new contracts are sustainable and do not ultimately unravel in a way that could jeopardise the front-line delivery of NHS services.   

“The NHS contract currently being tendered for covers all non-clinical and non-medical temporary staffing positions within the NHS, including administrative and support staff.In addition to working with NHS PASA the REC has been in dialogue over recent months with other procurement bodies such as the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) and the Chartered Institute for Purchasing and Supply (CIPS).”

he ongoing campaign on procurement policy will continue to be a major priority in 2009.