02/12/2025
Spending On Off-Contract Nurses And Midwives Falls By £120m
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has a £120 million reduction in spending on off-contract nurses, midwives, and healthcare support workers within the Health & Social Care (HSC) system.
The Minister attributed the success to the establishment of the new Nursing/Midwifery and Healthcare Support Framework that year, which was designed to control and reduce the high costs incurred by using agency staff.
Minister Nesbitt said: "The Nursing /Midwifery and Healthcare Support Workers Framework has been successfully adopted by all Trusts and is working well. This Framework, alongside work that we are progressing to end our reliance on agencies across all professions, is continuing to play a significant part in helping to build a sustainable workforce that delivers safe and effective care."
The Minister explained that the Framework is the first step in an extensive programme of work undertaken in partnership with trade unions to control the use of agency workers and build a substantive workforce.
Reducing the reliance on agency arrangements is a major priority across Health & Social Care. While Trusts acknowledge that some agency use may still be required, the focus is on significantly reducing the number of agency workers deployed. This reduction is being implemented in a safe, measured, and phased way as Trusts prioritise filling permanent vacancies.
The Minister attributed the success to the establishment of the new Nursing/Midwifery and Healthcare Support Framework that year, which was designed to control and reduce the high costs incurred by using agency staff.
The Minister explained that the Framework is the first step in an extensive programme of work undertaken in partnership with trade unions to control the use of agency workers and build a substantive workforce.
Reducing the reliance on agency arrangements is a major priority across Health & Social Care. While Trusts acknowledge that some agency use may still be required, the focus is on significantly reducing the number of agency workers deployed. This reduction is being implemented in a safe, measured, and phased way as Trusts prioritise filling permanent vacancies.
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21 February 2025
New Initiative To Address Medical And Dental Agency Costs
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New Initiative To Address Medical And Dental Agency Costs
A tender process has been launched for a new framework for the supply of medical and dental agency workers (locums) in Northern Ireland's Health and Social Care (HSC) system. This initiative aims to control agency worker usage and prioritise building the substantive workforce.
14 October 2022
Swann To Reduce Agency Spending In Health And Social Care
Health Minister Robin Swann has announced new measures to reduce expenditure on agency staffing within health and social care and to eliminate the use of off-contract agencies. The use of off-contract agencies has contributed significantly to an increase in agency staff expenditure over the last decade.
Swann To Reduce Agency Spending In Health And Social Care
Health Minister Robin Swann has announced new measures to reduce expenditure on agency staffing within health and social care and to eliminate the use of off-contract agencies. The use of off-contract agencies has contributed significantly to an increase in agency staff expenditure over the last decade.
25 August 2021
Minister Poots Announces Future Of NI Farming Support
Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has announced the future direction of farming support, with the publication of the Future Agricultural Policy Framework Portfolio for Northern Ireland.
Minister Poots Announces Future Of NI Farming Support
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12 September 2024
New Wellbeing Framework Established For NI Healthcare Workers
A new health and wellbeing framework for staff working within Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland has been announced by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.
New Wellbeing Framework Established For NI Healthcare Workers
A new health and wellbeing framework for staff working within Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland has been announced by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.
23 January 2015
Minister Pledge 'Support' To JTI Gallaher Workers
Northern Ireland's Social Development Minister and Employment and Learning Minister have pledged to do "everything they can" to help those workers affected by the closure of the JTI Gallaher factory in Ballymena, County Antrim in 2017.
Minister Pledge 'Support' To JTI Gallaher Workers
Northern Ireland's Social Development Minister and Employment and Learning Minister have pledged to do "everything they can" to help those workers affected by the closure of the JTI Gallaher factory in Ballymena, County Antrim in 2017.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.