REC response to government rallying cry on NHS
Press releases
Commenting on the announcement of new online platform Change.NHS.uk, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Chief Executive Neil Carberry said:
“The government is right to cast the net wide looking for ideas to improve the NHS. The crisis in NHS staffing has been caused by years of top-down thinking that treats staff as if they are volunteers rather than employees. A better offer for all staff in terms of working lives, and embracing the fact that people want to work in different ways, including via agencies, will be a vital part of any successful approach. Sustainable frameworks for temporary staffing, which treat temps well, mean big changes to the current approach. Government has wasted money by chasing temp rates that workers will not accept, in so doing driving up the number of expensive emergency shifts that have to be taken. It has spent pounds saving pennies – as the fact that NHS internal banks are often more expensive than agency shows. This is all fixable – but it requires a genuine partnership between workforce experts, unions and the NHS to deliver sustainable staffing, great careers and good value. We’re ready to play our part.”
Notes to editors
Click here to view all REC press releases and for more information and interview enquiries, contact the REC Press Office on 020 7009 2157, 020 7009 2129 or pressoffice@rec.uk.com. Outside of regular office hours, please call 07702 568 829.
The REC is the voice of the recruitment industry, speaking up for great recruiters. We drive standards and empower recruitment businesses to build better futures for great candidates and themselves. We are champions of an industry which is fundamental to the strength of the UK economy.
Find out more about the Recruitment & Employment Confederation at www.rec.uk.com.
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