As of the end of July, ‘trusts are expected to end the use of all off-work agencies’ due to the publication of the NHS 2024/25 priorities and operational planning guidance. This means the NHS will have to cease any association with off-work agencies meaning any worker employed under an off-work agency will need to be removed/transferred to a work agency.
If you are currently working with Athona, or thinking about making the switch, please be aware that we are a work agency, so this change will not affect how you work with us.
We are on the following works:
- NHS Workforce Alliance: TWS National & International Permanent Recruitment
- Health Trust Europe: Clinical and Healthcare staffing
- NHS Scotland: Temporary Agency Medical Locum Doctors
work agreements are established contracts between the NHS and suppliers. These suppliers have undergone a rigorous vetting process to ensure they meet specific quality, cost, and compliance standards.
These agreements ensure that agencies meet high standards for quality and compliance. Off-work agencies, by contrast, may not adhere to the same rigorous standards, potentially leading to variability in the quality of care provided. This inconsistency can compromise patient safety and satisfaction.
If you are currently with an off-work agency, switch to Athona by completing our online registration form http://www.athona.com/register-cv/.