FRAMEWORK BRIEF. Temporary Staffing Nursing & Care Services

Transcription

1 FRAMEWORK BRIEF Temporary Staffing Nursing & Care Services

2 FRAMEWORK OVERVIEW HealthTrust Europe (HTE) conducted a tender exercise for the provision of Temporary Staffing Nursing & Care Services to support the NHS and other healthcare providers in managing the dynamics of the recruitment market. The strategy was to identify sustainable pay rates for which agencies were in a position to supply based on band, specialty and region for accurate coverage. In addition to this, another key objective was to reduce commission rates down to a sustainable level, with the intention that this would contribute towards improved value and control rising agency costs in the market place. The framework is divided into seven regions for national coverage; North East and Yorkshire, North West, Central, East of England, South East, South West, and London. The framework agreement includes compliance governance audits which are independently conducted by Neuven, the appointed sub-contractor for HTE. Awarded agencies are audited against the compliance audit requirements embedded within the agreement which are in line with the NHS employment check standards, to promote a high quality, best practice service that customers can rely upon. The framework agreement has been split into two Lots: Lot 1 Nursing Services 4 th January rd January 2018 (with the option to extend by two 12 month periods thereafter) Lot 2 Care Services Not yet awarded Dates to be confirmed Job Families Include Adults & Communities Children & Families Child Care Services Community General Critical Midwifery Mental Health Social Work Homecare Residential & Day Care The Temporary Staffing Nursing & Care Services framework covers all types of nurses and care workers, including domiciliary care. The agreement provides coverage against an extensive range of bands and specialties to deliver all of your requirements. Page 1 of 8

3 REGIONAL BREAKDOWN Page 2 of 8

4 BENEFITS Reduced Costs Hourly charge rate costs and supplier commission fees are driven by suppliers being awarded on a target pricing methodology, to develop sustainable rates. Discounts are available for long term placements, electronic trading, prompt payment and volume of business. We work with our customers to set local and regional parameters to ensure value is structured in conjunction with compliance and fill rates. Reduced Compliance Risk The framework agreement provides increased assurance since appointed agencies are contractually obliged to provide temporary workers to the requirements set out in the Terms and Conditions of Contract, which include the Department of Health and NHS Employers guidelines. Whilst the framework agreement seeks to provide value for money, it is also concerned with patient safety and ensuring the clinical governance requirements are met. Organisations that use non-framework agencies will continue to run the risk of allowing temporary workers into their organisation without this type of protection and reassurance. This, in turn, could seriously risk any patient safety and clinical governance assurances meaning CQC and/or NHSLA, may take the view that this does not meet their requirements. OJEU Compliant We procure and implement our own frameworks which are fully OJEU compliant and provide HTE with greater flexibility to respond to changing markets. Independent Audits Annual Independent Audit obligation for all framework supply is currently provided by NeuVen Solutions Limited. HTE works to evidence the quality of supplier compliance services and gives Authorities a robust safety net with respect to NHS employment check standards, CQC & NHSLA requirements. Defined Framework Processes This is a robust and clearly defined framework with a range of documentation to support standard processes, also providing the scope for customers to consider supplier value-added services. The complaints process is there to manage local relationships but with mediation support from HTE to ensure consistently successful outcomes. Strong Vendor Management We have a strong, pro-active vendor management strategy maintaining close relationships with all of our framework suppliers so that we can support Authorities that work with us. Page 3 of 8

5 Industry Engagement We actively engage in industry networking within the recruitment industry including the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC), to develop our frameworks with market consultation. Free Access & Support All of our temporary staffing frameworks are FREE OF CHARGE to access, including all contracting work, implementation and project management support as standard. Account Management We provide on-going support to mediate, remedy and resolve critical issues as required, or to lead further initiatives. We understand that the job isn t complete at award; we will work with you to develop your compliance and to ensure our suppliers are striving towards best practice and best value. Optimum Number of Suppliers & Flexible Agreements The number of agencies appointed to the framework and the speciality services included provide abundant capacity and coverage in each regional area. The terms of the framework agreement allow the choice to appoint preferred suppliers in a number of ways (Preferred Supplier List, Master Vendor, single source, etc). Awarded agencies include large, national provider s right through to SMEs and local providers. This ensures that customers can get the appropriate mix of service that is flexible to their region and requirements. Reduced Costs The framework agreement has been designed to meet the regional needs for the strategic management of agencies. Page 4 of 8

6 ACCESS TO THE FRAMEWORK Our flexible contracting solutions are tailored to fit the requirements of our customers, having consulted with suppliers for market knowledge to ensure structures work operationally to meet demand. HTE provides tailored call off contracts with defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to increase performance accountability and controls for our customers and to develop supplier relationships objectively working together to meet performance criteria. The contracts can be implemented in three key supply chain structures defined below and tailored within: Direct Call-Off Authorities are able to choose as many, or as few awarded agencies as they wish, to fulfil their local requirements. Preferred Supplier List Authorities can create a list of preferred agencies divided into tiers, providing those agencies named on a higher tier with the first opportunity to fill a vacancy prior to those named on a lower tier in a cascade system. This agreement is underpinned by a robust Service Level Agreement. Authorities may also simply decide to interview agencies to determine their shortlist. They may also choose further sub-criteria under the main criteria outlined in the tender, to tailor requirements to satisfy their local need. A Tier 1 PSL vendor may implement a neutral, free of charge vacancy release software portal as part of their overall service provision. The vacancy release software may be utilised as a free database system to implement a customer s in-house bank worker arrangements and to cascade requirements as a Tier 0 (before agency) electronically to support local resourcing aims and uptake. Master Vendor / Managed Service Authorities can award their temporary staffing requirements to a sole agency that takes full responsibility for provision of Nursing and Care Services. The Master Vendor should be able to fill the majority of vacancies, and where they are unable to; they will sub-contract to fulfil requirements. This agreement is underpinned by a robust Service Level Agreement. Master Vendor or Managed Service Providers may implement free of charge vacancy release software portal as part of their overall service provision. The vacancy release software may also be utilised as a free database system to implement a customer s in-house bank worker arrangements and to cascade requirements as a Tier 0 (before agency) electronically to support local resourcing aims and uptake. Page 5 of 8

7 FRAMEWORK SUPPLIERS Framework Status Key: Provider available against this Lot Provider not available against this Lot Lot Region Supplier Lot 1: Nursing North East & Yorkshire North West Central East of England South East South West London 4Medical Limited t/a 4Social Work Limited Acton Banks Limited Altius Recruitment Limited Phirst Group Limited t/a Apex Health + Social Care Arcadia Recruitment Limited Imperial Medical Staffing Athona Limited Bleep 360 Limited Capital Care Services (UK) Limited Care Providers Recruitment Limited Care Staff Solutions Limited Career Legal Limited Castlerock Recruitment Group Limited ( CRG ) City Healthcare Agency Limited Concept Care Solutions Limited Coyle Personnel Plc Cromwell Medical Staffing Limited Day Webster Limited Delta Nursing Agency Limited DRC Locums Limited ENS Recruitment Limited Evergood Associates Limited Page 6 of 8

8 Supplier Lot 1: Nursing North East & Yorkshire North West Central East of England South East South West London Ferrilux Limited National Locums Limited Genepool Personnel Limited Globe Locums Limited Hallam Medical Limited Healthcare Locums Limited ( HCL ) ID Medical Group Limited Kare Plus West Midlands Limited Key Care & Support Limited Keystone Healthcare Limited Locumlinx Limited Firstpoint Healthcare Limited Maxxima Limited Mayday Healthcare plc Medacs Healthcare Plc Medco Services Limited Medical Professional Personnel Limited ( MPP ) Medical Staffing Limited MedicsPro Limited Medilink Consulting Limited Medsol Healthcare Services Limited Meridian Business Support Limited Mofor Solutions Limited MSI Recruitment Limited My Locum Limited Newlands Healthcare Limited NRS Global Limited Nurse Plus & Carer Plus UK Limited Nurseline Healthcare Ltd Nursing 2000 Limited Pertemps Medical Professionals Limited Plan B Healthcare Plc Precedo Healthcare Services Limited Page 7 of 8

9 Supplier Lot 1: Nursing North East & Yorkshire North West Central East of England South East South West London Primera Assisted Living Limited Priority Plus Limited t/a Priority Plus Nursing and Care Agency Pulse Healthcare Limited Remedy Recruitment Group Limited RMR Recruitment Limited Robin Recruitment Ltd RSM Top Jobs Limited Saints Personnel Limited Sanctuary Personnel Limited Sensible Locums Limited Service Care Solutions Limited Staffing Professionals Limited SWIIS UK Limited Team24 Limited TFS Healthcare Limited The Care Bureau Limited The Flame Lily Healthcare Limited The Healthcare Professional Services Limited TNA Medical Limited Total Assist Recruitment Limited Tripod Partners Limited Twenty four seven Recruitment (Yorkshire ) Limited VP Forensic Limited Wimborne Nursing Agency Limited Your World Nursing Limited Page 8 of 8

10 1 FAQS My preferred agency is not one of the agencies framework agreement suppliers does this mean I can't use the framework to source temporary workers from this supplier? The framework agreement includes a wide range of temporary worker agencies and is designed to cover the majority of temporary worker requirements. Therefore Authorities should not be in the position to use agencies outside of this agreement. If you have a current contract with a nonframework agency, please check the cancellation terms and conditions and start the process of engagement with framework agencies. If you require help or support in this engagement process please contact Sonam Mehmi at Sonam.Mehmi@htepg.com I have a contract already with an agency but want to switch to the framework. What should I do? If your preferred agency is on the framework, you are in a position to switch immediately. Help and support can be provided by HealthTrust Europe with this process. If your current preferred agency is not listed on the framework, you should be able to switch agencies successfully as long as you observe any notice periods that may be in place, to avoid placement fees. What is a Service Level Agreement (SLA)? A Service Level Agreement (SLA) is a written agreement between the Authorities (or a group of Trusts) and an agency which sets out the way in which the agency and Authority will work together under the framework agreement, in order to get the best value from the framework agreements and meet specific requirements. Authorities may choose to sign a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with one or several agencies; and may also choose to sign a Service Level Agreement (SLA) for the supply of particular groups of temporary workers. In addition by collaborating with other Authorities or through HealthTrust Europe, spend can be consolidated in order to maximise volume of business level (VBL) discounts. A Service Level Agreement (SLA) is highly recommended as best practice and provide an effective means to manage supplier relationships and access the full range of discounts available. A Service Level Agreement (SLA) is a mechanism to monitor fill rates, set out requirements such as use of the temporary worker Placement Checklist and manage expectations regarding agency service. A Service Level Agreement (SLA) is intended to: meet regular local temporary worker staffing requirements amplify any of the service provision requirements set out in the framework agreements agree discounts on supplier commission fee to reflect on-going or continued business If I become unhappy with the framework agency I choose, what can I do? You can change your chosen framework agency by giving three months notice if you have a Service Level Agreement (SLA), a shorter period could be negotiated if acceptable by both sides. If there is no Service Level Agreement (SLA) in place there is no notice period required. You must also observe any notice period to be given to the worker to avoid placement/introductory fees, should the worker wish to continue working at your site through the new agency. We advise discussing any issues with your agency with HealthTrust Europe before taking this step, as it may provide the agency with an opportunity to resolve issues to your satisfaction.

11 2 How does HealthTrust Europe monitor its participating framework agencies to ensure they meet quality and clinical risk requirements? Each framework agency was audited by HealthTrust Europe s subcontractor NeuVen Solutions. The audits are conducted on a regular basis, as well as on an ad-hoc/emergency basis if this is deemed necessary. The audit team will monitor each participating framework agency ensuring full adherence to core operational policies and procedures detailed within the conditions of contract, to which each framework agency has agreed. HealthTrust Europe will take action against participating agencies who fail to meet or comply with these requirements. Action may include temporary suspension or exclusion from the framework agreements and such actions are agreed with the stakeholder group before these steps are taken. If I have a temporary worker who I wish to take on as a permanent employee, what should I do? This framework agreement has been put in place to provide temporary workers and it is not intended to act as a recruitment mechanism. There may be isolated instances when a temporary worker responds to advertisements and is subsequently to be employed by the Authority. In these cases a placement fee may be payable as a hirer if appropriate notice has not been given to meet the relevant legislation. If both parties agree an Extended Hire Period for the worker (usually 4-6 weeks), an introduction fee may be waived. Can agencies supply as a Master Vendor through the framework? Yes, Master vendor arrangements are permitted within the framework agreements and these are undertaken free of charge. Is the pricing in the new framework flexible? Pricing has been pre-agreed with agencies for this framework agreement. Agencies can offer lower prices at any time during the life of the agreement. Prices have been freely submitted by agencies and the framework aims to provide pricing that is fair and competitive in the current market. Any price review and subsequent uplift can only be agreed by HealthTrust Europe and authorities (jointly), and are communicated to all agencies and Authorities as and when appropriate. Framework agencies cannot uplift pricing of their own accord. Can non-framework agencies supply temporary workers through framework agencies? HealthTrust Europe does not promote the ability to sub-contract to other agencies that have not been vetted and awarded to the framework agreement by way of responding to a Tender Opportunity in the same way as other suppliers. Suppliers cannot be awarded to a framework agreement once it has been awarded. In exceptional circumstances and with the express permission of HealthTrust Europe, authorities may review further sub-contracting options available through the framework agreement. Can we use temporary workers supplied through a non-framework associated sister company of a framework agency? Only if this has been agreed as part of a sub-contracting agreement with the main supplier, Authority and HealthTrust Europe.

12 3 How can I see more detail regarding the products which are included on this framework? If you are a full member of HealthTrust Europe or have signed an NDA/Order Form you can view the framework information indicated above via the Salesforce Chatter Group. Please check with your Temporary Staffing Lead to identify if they already have access. Further Information For further information regarding this framework agreement please contact the Helpdesk on or helpdesk@healthtrusteurope.com.

13