Agencies that win places on NHS PASA (Purchasing and Supply Agency) framework agreements should be graded so as to differentiate the best from the rest, according to a director of Reed.

John Herron, a divisional director at Reed Nurse, Health & Doctor, told Recruiter that a three-star grading system for framework agencies would help NHS Trusts “to separate the wheat from the chaff”.

“Trusts think that all agencies are as good as each other,” says Herron, “however, this isn’t the case.”  He says that whereas his own company “literally spent millions a year” on compliance and other measures that ensured high standards, “Joe Bloggs” agencies might only spend £50,000. “Some agencies do it better,” he added, “and a star system would help Trusts to identify the best.”