Shift-fill increased across the region by 15% between 2020/21 and 2024/25
Innovative solution has displaced over £24M of agency costs in 2024/25
A reduction in agency spending of £9M across all staff groups from 2022/23 to 2024/25
The Situation
As an evolution of NHS Professionals’ (NHSP) existing relationship with NHS Trusts in the Hertfordshire area, a collaborative bank service, known as Bankshare®, was launched in 2017. The partnership initially consisted of:
- East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust
- West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
In 2018, Princess Alexandra Hospitals NHS Trust also joined, forming the Hertfordshire Bank Network.
Building on its success, the collaboration expanded further in 2024 when the Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB became part of the initiative. This collaboration focuses on the creation of a single Bank workforce across participating Trusts that streamlines processes, improves staff planning and reduces agency spend.
The Solution
From the outset, time was taken for the Trusts to consult and align priorities around five core themes:
- Contractual arrangements
- Employment checks
- Pay rates
- Recruitment processes
- Training
A high level of engagement and a partnership approach were also established early on through hiring a dedicated Programme Manager. This role was focused on implementing the regional venture and realising its benefits.
Utilising the Bankshare® platform, NHSP were able to configure a single solution to reflect the pay, process, compliance, training and contractual requirements agreed by the Trusts. A Memorandum of Understanding was set up detailing the principles for shift length and pay rates - including clarity on agreed changes to existing pay rates, where relevant.
The solution allowed healthcare professionals to be available on the booking system to all Trusts and sites.
"My relationship with NHSP has been exceptional. The team are very knowledgeable, supportive, responsive and adaptable. There is never a job too big or small that they cannot support on. As a Trust we genuinely couldn’t ask for more from our on-site client team."
Marie Carr, People Resourcing Manager, Princess Alexandra Hospitals NHS Trust
The Results
The collaborative approach enabled the Hertfordshire Bank Network to adopt a system-wide strategy for contingent staffing. For example, access to detailed spending analysis and reporting across the Bank Network allowed the Trust procurement teams to leverage total spending during rate negotiations with agencies.
In addition, bank fill rates improved due to each Trust having access to a larger pool of NHSP Bank Members, displacing agency spend and improving access to work for healthcare professionals across the region.
Key results include:
- An increase in Nursing and Midwifery bank fill across the region - from 67% in 2020/21 to 82% in 2024/25
- A reduction in agency spending of £9M across all staff groups from 2022/23 to 2024/25
- Displacement of over £24M of agency spending in 2024/25
In addition, monthly reporting on worker migration, shift fill and Trust demand has improved visibility of the flexible workforce. Continued collaboration has fostered a shared approach to problem-solving and more efficient workforce utilisation.
"Thanks for all the continuous assistance and support your team have given the organisation. NHSP provide great data analysis and are always ready to support and work collaboratively in finding solutions to long-standing problems."
Sandra Kirkham, Strategic Nurse Program Manager, East