Many of you will be aware that from 07:00:01 on 15th August 2005, London Agency Project 3 commences and a variation for South East Agency Project and Eastern Agency Project begins. These agreements supersede all previous agency projects in London, the South East and East.

The Purchasing and Supply Agency on behalf of the NHS has driven the projects forward to provide the Trusts under these framework agreements with consistent, high quality temporary nurses and healthcare workers offering value for money.

Each Agency Project is divided into four sectors:
• General (Qualified and all Healthcare Assistants)
• Critical Qualified (e.g. Theatres, ITU, A&E)
• Midwifery
• Mental Health (Qualified only)

Following an electronic e-auction process, Allied Staffing Professionals Ltd is able to supply the following under the Agency Projects:

EAP – General, Critical Qualified, Midwifery and Mental Health
SEAP – General, Critical Qualified and Midwifery
LAP3 – General and Critical Qualified

Agencies have been chosen on quality, pricing and capacity to supply. Allied Staffing Professionals has been awarded 3 stars, 3 being the highest on a star rating scale of 1 to 3.

The number of agencies operating within each Agency Project has been reduced dramatically (for example, Allied Staffing Professionals are one of only 45 agencies that were successful in the LAP 3 tendering out of an initial 149). This indicates a greater volume and choice of shifts will be available to each agency worker.

Allied Healthcare has taken a strong stance on the Project and our Chief Executive Officer has written to the NHS and the general manager of the RCN with his concerns about the impact on nurses' salaries following implementation. This communication is to share with you the impact of the introduction of the new NHS agreements, which may affect you individually depending on your circumstances, and is outside the control of Allied Healthcare.

In order to remain competitive and be able to offer consistent placements in a geographical area to suit you, your pay rate may have been affected.

E.g.
A standard day shift at a central London hospital for a Specialist E-grade nurse in June would have paid £232.99 (£20.26 x 11.5 hours)

The equivalent shift for a Critical Qualified nurse Band 6 on August 15th will pay £210.68 (£18.32 x 11.5 hours)

Allied Staffing Professionals is a contracted main supplier to many Trusts, ensuring a high volume and variety of shifts to suit your requirements.

We will continue to provide a high level of service to all of our temporary staff; including daily payroll.

For further information regarding the Agency Projects please log on to www.pasa.nhs.uk

For alternative rates of pay, or for more information regarding the sectors that Allied Staffing Professionals does not supply to, please contact your nearest Allied Healthcare Group Ltd branch.