How does the Welsh Government ensure a minimum standard of service provision by agency staff hired by health boards to fill staff vacancies?
There is a detailed and comprehensive contract specification that all agencies that supply nurses and other healthcare workforce to NHS Wales must comply with. The service specification covers the minimum standards in detail. The contract is managed by NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (NWSSP).
The specification is mandatory, and all agencies have accepted and agreed to supply workforce in accordance with this.
In addition, there is specific reference to the Welsh Government Minimum Standards which states:
- The Supplier shall comply in all respects with all legislation, regulations, guidelines, standards and other Good Industry Practice relevant to the Supplier or the provision of the Services including, but not limited to, the following:
The Welsh Assembly Government’s National Minimum Standards for Nurses Agencies 2003 and subsequent revisions thereof.
To note NWSSP undertake periodic audits of agencies to ensure compliance with the contract specification.