Recruiters have given a mixed reaction to government proposals to reform the NHS, announced this week.            

Among the proposals are giving patients more rights, including freedom to choose which hospital they want to be treated at.

Salim Shahul, chief executive of dr-locums, told Recruiter the government’s proposals were a double edged sword for recruiters.

“If the the patient chooses a hospital that is alr eady working at full capacity, it is more likely to need to call on agency staff. However, if the hospital is operating below capacity, it is less likely to need to use agencies,” he says.

Ian Munro, managing director of Castlerock Care Services, told Recruiter: “We realise that this may cause logistic problems with permanent staff and, and we will be on hand to supply temporary cover as and when required. We would like to stress though that our aim is to support existing staff, not to replace them.”

Kate Bleasdale, executive vice chairman at HCL, adds: “These new proposals pave the way for a more innovative and collaborative partnership between the public and private sectors, particularly in staffing where it is important to maintain the right balance of permanent and flexible healthcare staff to meet the fluctuating needs of the local population.”