Category: In the News

The Urgency for Improvements to Bariatric Care

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The obesity crisis remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in the UK. Recently published figures reveal that two-thirds of all adults are overweight or obese while new findings released by the NHS show that obesity was a factor in more than one million hospital admissions in 2019/20. Indeed, with the Covid-19 pandemic brutally exposing the high risk of serious illness and death that those with obesity face, it is now more important than ever that the focus is firmly placed on the care and supervision of overweight and obese individuals.

Paired with the burden of an ageing population, the pressure on care homes to develop tools that address the obesity endemic and accommodate an increasingly overweight resident population has never been greater. Yet while the Government does appear to be taking this issue seriously – recently publishing its strategy to put in place support for people living with obesity – many on the frontline lack the equipment they need to properly manage and care for their larger, older residents: a 2019 survey of almost 3,000 care homeowners, managers and staff showed that only 41 per cent of homes have the adequate bariatric facilities required to look after obese residents, with a further 12 per cent having to turn people away due to a lack of resources and bariatric equipment. A recent briefing by the King’s Fund focused on how the NHS can work with local partners and engage with communities to deliver targeted interventions to treat and prevent obesity.

Vice President of Strategic Sourcing at HealthTrust Europe (HTE), Nanette Grant, notes the importance of connecting healthcare providers with market-leading supplier communities to source high-quality items – including bariatric beds – to meet the needs of patients and improve patient care; “everything we do is driven by the care and improvement of human life; our offering for these specialised items reflects the evolving needs of society and supports our customers with the continued delivery of high-quality patient care.”

As the proportion of adults living with obesity continues to rise exponentially, the urgent need for care homes to be suitably prepared is showing no sign of slowing. Indeed, it is vital that the care sector is able to look after bariatric residents and patients, with specialist beds, equipment and training at the forefront of this provision.

Often, incorrect patient handling not only negatively impacts the patient, but can also result in staff incurring injuries. Bariatric equipment is uniquely designed to support overweight individuals, featuring increased weight capacities, heavy duty supports and wider widths to meet their needs. In addition to protecting residents and safeguarding their dignity, this specialised equipment protects staff and care workers from strain or injury. For instance, electrically operated profiling beds, capable of safely raising, lowering and adjusting the position of bariatric patients weighing up to 50 stone, do not require physical efforts and therefore, reduce the risk of back injuries (or more seriously, musculoskeletal disorders) which are often associated with heavy lifting to further minimise this risk, training programmes to increase awareness of correct posture, movement and equipment use can greatly benefit the overall health of staff and reduce staff sickness absence.

Yet the benefits of specialised equipment and training extend beyond just the physical movement of patients. People with obesity often require careful management of their skin, given their susceptibility to pressure ulcers, bed sores, wounds and other skin infections which can be exacerbated by ill-fitted equipment. Bariatric beds and chairs have, therefore, been designed to make moving and handling easier for staff and patients and are wide enough so that patients can ensure their own comfort. Some models even offer specialist pressure reducing mattresses with isolated air cushions that can be inflated and deflated while the addition of anti-microbial fabric protection protects against the development of bacteria that can cause skin infections and discomfort.

Bariatric beds, mattresses and cushions can be purchased via our Pressure Area Care Equipment, Medical Beds and Related Services framework. The framework provides a comprehensive range of products and services for use within long term care, home care/community and the acute care covering ad-hoc rental, long term rental, capital purchase and services such as decontamination, repair/maintenance, clinical support and disposal.

Our Safe Patient Moving and Handling Equipment Framework further supports and facilitates the appropriate movement of patients in a Hospital, Residential or Patient Home Environment. It is designed to equip health and social care providers with the latest tools to enhance the safety of patient handling.

If you are interested in finding out more about our Frameworks for supporting Bariatric Care and Safe Patient Handling, you can speak to our dedicated customer care team via 0845 887 5000 or customercare@htepg.com.

Guest Speaker Kieran Quinlan delivers an empowering talk to employees as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.

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Anxiety, stress, and worry are emotions many of us may have felt over the last 12 months. With employees having to adapt to significant changes, including working from home, home-schooling and social restrictions, the importance of mental health in the workplace has never been so important.

This week marks Mental Health Awareness Week which serves to raise awareness about mental health and stand up against stigma and negative stereotypes. As part of this, Kieran Quinlan, a transformation coach and owner of the Pit Gym, delivered a talk to HealthTrust Europe colleagues, sharing his powerful story and providing hints and tips on supporting good mental health through diet and exercise.

Kieran was the victim of a vicious knife attack at the age of 17, whereby he was given a one-percentage chance of survival and his heart stopped three times on the operating table. Whilst recovery was a difficult path which affected Kieran’s physical and mental health, he channelled his energy and passion into the world of bodybuilding and soon became an influential anti-knife crime ambassador, regularly giving school lectures about the perils of knife crime.

Through hard work and adopting a positive mindset, Kieran then went on to open his own fitness centre based in Birmingham city centre, which has transformed the bodies and minds of thousands of clients across the UK over the last 8 years.

Dale Robinson, HealthTrust Europe Chief Operating Officer said:

“We would like to thank Kieran for having the courage to share his story and using his experience of mental health difficulties to inspire others. With one in four people experiencing mental health problems in England, paying attention to mental health in the workplace has never been so important, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

“We have implemented a series of measures at HealthTrust Europe to support our colleague’s wellbeing during these unprecedented times, such as a ‘work-free’ zone on Microsoft Teams where amusing content can be shared and virtual quizzes to maintain social interaction. We will continue to do all we can to ensure employee’s feel happy and healthy at work.”

HealthTrust Europe launches Safe Patient Moving and Handling Equipment Framework

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HealthTrust Europe is pleased to launch the new Safe Patient Moving and Handling Equipment Framework to support and facilitate the appropriate movement of patients in a Hospital, Residential or Patient Home Environment. It is designed to equip health and social care providers with the latest tools to enhance the safety of patient handling.

The Framework is split into four distinct Lots – Manual Handling and Transfer Equipment; Hoists and Patient Lifts; Bathing Equipment; and Safe Patient Moving and Handling Managed Service. Each Lot is comprised of specialised solutions to support health and social care organisations in improving their current output across these services. All solutions are provided by market-leading organisations and can be tailored to your organisation’s needs. They are also cost-controlled – meaning you have access to market-leading solutions suited to your budgets.

The Framework uniquely benefits our customers by providing Total Managed Service Solutions (under Lot 4), acting as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for a suite of modules including asset management, Ergonomic consultancy for re-design, refurbishments, and new builds. Our suppliers can support with the implementation of new services that ensure the continuity of care is provided to patients.

Often, incorrect patient handling not only negatively impacts the patient, but can also result in staff incurring injuries. To minimise this risk, training programmes to increase awareness of correct posture, movement and equipment use could be arranged, aimed at improving the overall health of staff and reducing staff sickness absence. We offer skilled resources that complement and support your own internal training programmes.

Like all HealthTrust Europe Frameworks, customers will have exclusive access to an expert team from contracted suppliers who can guide you through the process from beginning to end. Our trusted suppliers can provide guidance and expertise on how to utilise equipment effectively and advice on the solutions that would enable your organisation to achieve your goals.

Customers will further benefit from skilled resources to support CPD accredited training. Ergonomic and Mobility Risk Assessments for Care Environments are also available for customers to optimise space and use of equipment. The Framework offers a compliant route-to-market for these services, aligned with Directive and International Standards.

Please contact our dedicated customer care team by emailing customercare@htepg.com or calling 0845 887 5000 to request access or further information. Our expert team is on-hand to deal with your questions.

 

HealthTrust Europe launches Total Workforce Solutions II Framework

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HealthTrust Europe has launched its latest Framework Agreement to support health and care organisations to source the latest innovations in workforce solutions. Launched on the 1st February 2021, Total Workforce Solutions II (TWS II) directly supersedes the existing Total Workforce Solutions portfolio (TWS I) , enhancing the offering with a range of additional benefits.

The Framework is available on a free to access basis for NHS, wider public sector and care providers across the UK, offering the latest in workforce planning technology, apps, bank, agency and other associated workforce solutions.

Please click here to access the list of TWS II categories alongside the existing TWS I portfolio.

TWS II builds on the excellent services previously offered in TWS I I, renewing the framework’s NHSE&I approval (NHS approved agency framework) with a detailed tendering process that has robustly tested the capacity, capability, quality and price criteria of awarded suppliers for best value. This means that NHSE&I has reviewed our Framework application and agreed that it aligns to regulatory requirements, in support of national initiatives such as the NHS People Plan, off framework removal and enhancing international recruitment.

The expanded scope of TWS II has been designed with healthcare providers at its core, with our customers and healthcare partners in mind – incorporating several years of stakeholder feedback to deliver enhanced terms, drive better value, and offer access to the latest supply chain innovations. Our commitment is to improve the quality of care for the betterment of human life, and our enhanced Framework helps us to equip healthcare organisations to achieve that goal with controls, processes and solutions that maximise successful outcomes.

TWS II also helps to provide our partners with assurance on the highest standards of quality, audit, data protection, fill rates and a total spend management approach for controls on workforce expenditure – ensuring our customers are able to operate within their budgets whilst delivering the highest possible quality of care.

Providers can register for access to TWS II via our Partnership Portal, offering a ‘self-serve’ access option for agency staffing services through our new digital access platform. We hope that this will further support providers with coverage and on demand, compliant framework supply.

If you have any other questions and would like to speak directly to one of our dedicated customer service team members, you can contact us via workforce@htepg.com or if you would like to sign up to one or more lots of TWS II, please visit the Partnership Portal linked above to register and call-off.

HealthTrust Europe votes Cancer Research UK as its 2021 charity

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HealthTrust Europe is delighted to announce Cancer Research UK, the UK’s leading cancer research and awareness charity, as its 2021 charity of choice. As part of HealthTrust Europe’s commitment to the care and improvement of human life, every year its employees select a charity to support from a shortlist. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, employees embraced the virtual fundraising environment for last year’s chosen charity, Alzheimer’s Society, exceeding their £5000 target by 38%. They will now look forward to continuing fundraising activities and awareness campaigns for Cancer Research UK.

Currently, 2 in 4 people who have cancer survive it and Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate this to 3 in 4 people within the next 20 years. This will be achieved through key areas of research which include preventing cancer through education, detecting cancer through early diagnosis, treating cancer patients through the development of new treatments, and to optimize by making current treatments more effective.

In the year 2019/2020, Cancer Research UK funded research worth £455 million pounds in almost every aspect of cancer through a variety of mechanisms, from supporting infrastructure, including world-class research institutes to providing grants for projects and training fellowships. Despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic last year, prominent advances were made in cancer research last year and so uniting to beat cancer has never been more important.

Dale Robinson, HealthTrust Europe Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are delighted to announce Cancer Research UK as our 2021 charity choice. Cancer Research UK are at the heart of progress in medical and scientific cancer research and its thanks to this vital research that survival rates for cancer in the UK have doubled in the last 40 years. Last year, we raised £7,375 for Alzheimer’s Society and I have no doubt that our employees will continue to go to great lengths to support this fantastic cause.”

Jayme Shepherd, Local Fundraising Manager for Cancer Research UK, said: “We are absolutely delighted that HealthTrust Europe has chosen Cancer Research UK as their Charity Partner for 2021 and we look forward to working with them and supporting them in their fundraising.

“Cancer Research UK relies on the generosity of the public to fund its lifesaving research and it needs support more now than ever, so funds raised through supporters like HealthTrust Europe and their customers are crucial to the work of doctors, nurses and scientists who work day and night to fight cancer on all fronts.

“Our vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured, and together we will beat cancer.”

HealthTrust Europe Staff Exceed Annual Charity Target for Alzheimer’s Society by Thousands

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Employees at HealthTrust Europe have raised an impressive £7,375 for 2020 annual chosen charity Alzheimer’s Society – exceeding the £5,000 target set out at the start of last year.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, employees were unable to fundraise using traditional methods such as dress down office days or taking part in half marathons. Instead, they devised a variety of creative but safe activities to raise money whilst working from home.

Activities that were undertaken throughout 2020 included virtual bingo, quizzes, Christmas raffles and ‘Challenge Thursdays’, which entailed staff members being nominated to complete viral Tik Tok challenges which were recorded and shared internally for all colleagues to enjoy.

In the absence of the fun runs and obstacle courses that staff would normally sign up for, the team designed their version of “Jog on Dementia” in August. Colleagues formed small teams and set weekly running targets, encouraging healthy competition. Participants ran a whopping 1,167 miles and raised almost £900, with the winning team running an impressive 300 miles!

Ian Hadridge, HealthTrust Europe’s Vice President, also “Braved the Shave”, agreeing to shave off his hair during the company’s Halloween celebrations. This was live streamed to colleagues and raised more than £700.

Dale Robinson, HealthTrust Europe’s Chief Operating Officer, said:

“I am blown away by the dedication of our staff members this year. The amount of money that has been raised for this incredible charity, despite the challenging circumstances that everyone has faced during this pandemic, shows the astounding kindness of our colleagues and their family and friends in support of this important cause.”

“At HealthTrust Europe we always say that we are committed to the care and improvement of human life. Everyone’s efforts to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society demonstrates just how committed we all are to fulfilling this ambition, and we are thrilled to have exceeded our target amount.”

Ryan Stanley, Community Fundraiser at Alzheimer’s Society, said:

“We are extremely grateful to HealthTrust Europe for their amazing fundraising efforts over what has been a very challenging 12 months. They have truly embraced the virtual fundraising environment we have found ourselves in and we are very impressed with their innovative fundraising ideas such as the weekly TikTok challenges.”

“The funds they have raised will enable us in our fight against Dementia, from our telephone services such as Dementia Connect and our volunteer-led Companion Calls, our ongoing research projects and our continuing work campaigning with local and national government for policy change, we will make sure nobody has to face dementia alone.”

The virtual charity cheque handover for Alzheimer’s Society took place on Wednesday 27th January, when Dale Robinson presented the cheque totalling £7,375 to Ryan Stanley, a community fundraiser from Alzheimer’s Society. Staff now look forward to continuing innovative fundraising for their new 2021 chosen charity, which will be announced shortly.

Staffing Through the COVID-19 Pandemic: How Total Workforce Solutions Can Support Your Organisation

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The Healthcare sector is coming to terms with the reality that a second wave of COVID-19 is upon us. The second wave brings with it new challenges; including the potential compound impact of the second wave during the harsh winter months, the struggle to access vital COVID-19 tests as we continue to see a rise in demand, and most crucially, whether the health service has enough staff to care for the rising number of COVID-19 patients.

In recent weeks, huge staff shortages have been reported across the NHS for a wide range of reasons. A lack of COVID-19 tests for children, for example, is preventing NHS worker parents from going into the workplace as their children are forced to isolate at home and not attend school; mass delays to the immigration Visa system is reportedly preventing ‘hundreds’ of vital staff from overseas taking up roles across the country; and the backlog of health treatments built up during the first wave of the virus has had an unprecedented impact on NHS capacity, resulting in the urgent need for more staff to prevent the backlog from growing even further. These factors, compounded with the obvious challenges of the second wave including staff self-isolation and illness, result in huge uncertainties over the ability of the NHS to maintain adequate staffing capacity.

How can the sector prepare for these challenges?

Earlier this year during the first wave of COVID-19, we expanded our Total Workforce Solutions Framework to support healthcare organisations with staffing throughout the pandemic. Our comprehensive Framework has been designed to further bolster staffing capabilities for our customers, and we are able to offer these solutions to other public and private organisations to support with staffing capacity during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the key changes made to our existing TWS Framework was the shift towards digitalisation and the widened use of video-hosted technology. Video technology has been critical during the first wave of the virus for two main reasons. Firstly, it has allowed the healthcare sector to continue recruiting new staff using secure video conferencing, ensuring the safety of staff and prospective new staff as well as speeding up the recruitment process and enabling more staff to be recruited in the same amount of time. Secondly, video-hosted technology has increased staff capacity through the wider use of virtual wards and consultations. Vital frontline workers now spend less time travelling in between patients, and they are able to undertake appointments anywhere, anytime, meaning staff have increased capacity and experience less stress from high demand.

The amended TWS Framework also includes the introduction of ‘Surge Staffing’ which allows customers in the health sector to access stronger supply chains of agency workers in the face of staff shortages. Agency staff can be sourced quickly and efficiently through our surge solutions, ensuring organisations have a steady flow of high-level agency workers permeating through the sector to tackle staff shortages. Agency staff sourced through surge solutions can be implemented for short, medium or long-term requirements to support with patient care. In these challenging times, we understand that finances are tough, and that is why our surge staffing solutions also ensure that agency workers supplied to your organisation are costed to align with your budgets, so you are always on top of your finances.

How to access the Framework

If your organisation is interested in bolstering your workforce during the second wave of COVID-19 and you want to find out more about how the TWS Framework can support you with the challenges ahead, you can speak to our expert team by emailing workforce@htepg.com. Our dedicated customer team is available to deal with any queries regarding staffing and recruitment. We are committed to supporting organisations during these challenging and unprecedented times, ensuring our customers are able to continue providing the best level of patient care at the best possible price.

How could innovative solutions support the private acute healthcare sector throughout the COVID-19 pandemic?

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The private acute healthcare sector has faced a number of re-occurring challenges during recent years. An increasing number of patients are seeking surgical treatments such as elective care procedures. There is also the ongoing difficulty of remaining financially competitive in a highly competitive field. To further compound these long-standing challenges, the industry also faces the impending problem of continuing to supply high-level staff across the sector alongside dealing with the wider long-term issues that COVID-19 and Brexit will create. Whilst the NHS seems to have experienced the greatest impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, the reality is that private acute healthcare is also suffering.

Capacity for the private acute healthcare sector has been a growing problem for a number of years. There is an increasing demand for private treatment for surgical procedures and elective care due to postponed NHS treatments, which has resulted in capacity issues for organisations. The potential for reputational damage must also be taken into account. People turning to private healthcare expect a far higher standard of care combined with a quicker service. As private healthcare continues to face increased demand combined with limited capacity, there is a risk that quality of patient care will be affected. This may create a further challenge, as patients may choose not to use the services after all.

There is also growing concern across the private sector regarding how to continue supplying the highly trained staff needed to support private healthcare. COVID-19 has resulted in a far less secure workforce. Staff are faced with complex and ever-changing restrictions and regulations in the workplace that are hindering capacity, whilst illness and self-isolation is reducing availability. Brexit is another factor that poses a significant threat to private healthcare; the uncertainty connected to the future of the immigration system in the UK is causing massive delays in visa approvals for overseas staff, resulting in a reduction of healthcare professionals entering the UK. These factors, combined with existing shortages, means the sector faces a potential staffing crisis.

Private acute healthcare functions within a competitive financial context that is reasonably different to the NHS. Private healthcare providers must maintain their profitability and financial viability, meaning they are constantly seeking ways to gain a financial edge over their competitors. The competitive nature of the sector creates an incentive for less transparency as organisations seek to ensure their competitors are not ‘catching up’ with them. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem. With the UK economy reportedly shrinking more than it has done in 65 years, we currently face a disastrous recession that places almost every sector at risk, making it extremely difficult to compete on finances.

The effects of COVID-19 will likely be expansive and long-term, with bleak prospects for many businesses for the next few years. It is inevitable that COVID-19 will negatively impact the private acute healthcare sector, as it will do every section of society. The question we must now ask is: how will the sector resolve the challenges it currently faces in order to prosper?

At HealthTrust Europe, we believe the answer is in innovative solutions for healthcare. Working collaboratively with our suppliers, outsourcing where possible and using smart real-time platforms to source materials and services are approaches which could help the private sector to address some of the current challenges it faces.

If we take the first issue – a rising demand for surgeries and elective care treatments – and examine how we can increase capacity whilst ensuring the right level of care is delivered to patients, the answer lies within outsourcing some of the processes that do not require consultants. For example, histopathology testing and mobile diagnostic imaging are both crucial in the treatment of elective patients. These are services that can be easily outsourced using external suppliers under a trusted and secure framework. By doing so, we relieve some of the demand for consultants in private hospitals and free up their time to perform vital surgeries and procedures. Outsourcing can also result in quicker appointments and results screening, meaning patients receive the quick, high-quality care they expect from private healthcare – protecting the reputation of the sector despite the challenges it faces.

The ability to continue supplying vital staff across the private healthcare sector is likely to be the biggest challenge the sector faces. To ensure a consistent supply of staff, organisations should seek to explore options such as outsourcing and adopting innovative technologies to support quick and efficient recruitment. Earlier this year, we expanded our Total Workforce Solutions Framework to include measures that support private healthcare organisations with staffing needs throughout the pandemic. The Framework now has a primarily digital focus, allowing organisations to make use of secure video-hosted technology which streamlines the recruitment process whilst ensuring the maximum safety of staff. The introduction of ‘Surge Staffing’ solutions has helped bolster staff supply chains by allowing organisations access to an expansive pool of high-level agency workers. Our Workforce Solutions are also cost-controlled, meaning you can select solutions that align to your organisation’s unique financial budgets, ensuring you are always protected on cost.

Remaining financially competitive in the current climate will be also be a significant challenge. However, there are innovative tools that can support private organisations to do so without consuming hours of precious time. In the current context, it is absolutely key to streamline where possible to save staff hours and maximise capacity. HealthTrust Europe recently launched Elite360 – a comprehensive, intuitive, digital platform that allows our customers quick and easy access to a huge range of products and services – as a tool for streamlining procurement. Elite360 enables customers to compare products and services, ensuring they are constantly accessing the best products for the best prices. This allows organisations to be as financially competitive as possible whilst reducing the time spent on research and price comparisons. The platform is easy to use and can enable private organisations to remain competitive, as our suppliers regularly update their services, products and prices, meaning This means our customers can avoid any sudden increases in price and ensure their supply chains are never at risk.

The COVID-19 pandemic will be undeniably difficult for the private health sector. However, innovative tools and systems do exist to support the healthcare sector through the pandemic. If the private healthcare sector is able to utilise the breadth of services available to support with capacity, sourcing, staffing and more during the pandemic they will be in the best possible position to face the demanding time ahead.

HealthTrust Europe launches the Digital Hybrid Mail Solutions Framework

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HealthTrust Europe are pleased to announce the launch of its latest Framework, supporting clients with the delivery of cost effective and straightforward solutions for their mail requirements. The latest Framework offers a simple and compliant route to market for the procurement of a range of mail services at competitive market rates – ensuring our customers always get the best value for money.
Not only does our latest framework ensure a strong return on investment, but it also connects our customers to market-leading suppliers. Our suppliers are able to offer a range of innovative strategies as well as the latest technologies, providing customers with a wide range of benefits.

Most importantly, our Digital Hybrid Mail Solutions offer services that enable customers to reduce their carbon usage. The framework agreement focuses on innovation and technological solutions – incorporating email mailings and reminders, SMS texting and wider use of E-communication as well as multi-format publishing. The Digital Hybrid Mail Solutions therefore helps organisations achieve their carbon reduction targets, and it complies with the NHS carbon reduction strategy.

Other services that are offered under the Digital Hybrid Mail Solutions framework include the management of returned mail; mailing, postage tracking and tracing services; the transformation of digital data into physical mail pieces at distributed print and mailing centres; as well as bulk email services amongst much more.

The framework is also designed to allow customers to tailor their own solutions package and design a bespoke product offering to fit their organisation’s needs. Solutions within the framework are able to be purchased separately, so that customers are never paying for a service they do not use. Once signed up to the framework agreement, customers will also be able to regularly order items and services they utilise most often at a set fixed price, meaning there are no cost increases during the agreement period.

As with all HealthTrust Europe frameworks, customers will benefit from having access to our expert team who can guide you through the framework process from start to finish. Customers will also have access to the expert suppliers as part of the framework, who have unmatched experience in supplying goods and services across the full spectrum of the public sector. Our trusted suppliers can offer their guidance and expertise on how specifications and processes can be standardised and rationalised to achieve even further cost and efficiency savings.

If your organisation is interested in accessing our new Digital Hybrid Mail Solutions framework to support you with meeting your mailing needs, you can get in touch with our dedicated customer care team to find out more by emailing customercare@htepg.com or calling on 0845 887 5000. Our expert team is on-hand to deal with any customer queries.

HealthTrust Europe Launches Latest Framework to Support National and International Permanent Recruitment of Healthcare Professionals

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HealthTrust Europe has launched the first two lots of Total Workforce Solutions 2 (TWS II) to support health and social care organisations in their approach to sustainable long-term national and international recruitment of doctors, nurses and wider healthcare professionals. The National and International Permanent Recruitment (NIPR) Agreements have been designed to help target key national policy objectives including reducing agency spend, supporting the NHS People Plan and the placement of 50,000 nurse roles into the NHS.

Over the past few months, the COVID-19 pandemic has had an undeniable impact on the health and social care sector, which is now also facing an uncertain future for its workforce in light of Brexit and the UK’s new immigration rules. The NIPR Agreements can help to improve the quality of patient care and health outcomes by addressing shortages in healthcare professionals, providing innovative contract solutions and ensuring a strong return on investment for providers. Lot 1b of the Agreement is an Approved Framework of NHSE&I for International Recruitment, HealthTrust Europe is working closely with the health regulator to establish effective sourcing strategies to support workforce programmes.

Safeguarding National and International Recruitment

Given the threat of a second wave of coronavirus and the uncertainties posed to the health and social care sector by the end to the transition period for Brexit, it is essential to build robust workforce supply chains and develop contingency plans to mitigate any negative effects to healthcare outcomes in the UK.

The new Framework has been developed to ensure that all recruitment efforts are bolstered, including national recruitment to support Bank, Fixed Term and Substantive Campaigns, and international recruitment of Healthcare Professionals from EEA/non-EEA. Staff Groups covered in the Framework are not just limited to Nurses, but also include key workers such as Doctors, GPs, Healthcare Assistants, AHP and HSS workers.

As the UK continues to open back up, there is likely to be a backlog of quality candidates that had applications held up during the pandemic. HealthTrust Europe can help to get contracts in place quickly and efficiently to support provider efforts in order to build a pipeline that helps to get people back to work. The NIPR Agreements will also allow for the development of streamlined local and regional approaches to workforces planning, delivering optimal outcomes for health systems across the UK through PCN, STP and ICS engagement.

Benefits of the NIPR Agreements

At HealthTrust Europe, we pride ourselves on delivering an exceptional service with high quality, tailored solutions for all of our customers and suppliers. We can support partners in appraising options and getting robust contracts in place with the knowledge and expertise to maximise quick wins whilst ensuring value for money long term.

Our new NIPR Agreements can help to deliver a range of benefits for our customers looking to safeguard their workforces, including:

  • Protection with ethical sourcing, rebates and restrictive covenants
  • Assurance with robust technical capability vetting through the Tender
  • Access to a range of high volume, niche and specialist suppliers for all needs
  • Robust contract terms, templates and KPIs to performance manage
  • Traditional campaign options from established source countries such as the Philippines, India, UAE and Ireland, as well as emerging sources
  • Opportunities to innovate with collaborative options, recruit to Bank, RPO and workforce consultancy as newer options within scope
  • Partnership to develop a coherent procurement plan that delivers the workforce strategy for the substantive, bank and agency workforce needs of each organisation.

Who can use Total Workforce Solutions II and the NIPR Agreements?

The Framework is free to access for all public sector organisations across all regions of the United Kingdom. HealthTrust Europe is a national provider committed to supporting providers to achieve successful outcomes in the procurement of workforce.

For further information on the NIPR Agreements, or for those interested in learning more about engaging with NHSE&I, please get in touch via phone on 0845 887 5000 or via email on customercare@htepg.com.