Q » Who are the top NHS framework-approved nursing staffing suppliers across the UK?

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Bagpiper Jason Faulkner

30 Jun, 2026

160 | 2

A » The recruitment of temporary nursing staff within the National Health Service (NHS) is governed by strict procurement frameworks designed to ensure quality, compliance, and cost-effectiveness. The key frameworks in this area are typically managed by NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS), Health Trust Europe (HTE), and regional collaborative procurement hubs, with the most prominent being the NHS SBS Non-Medical Temporary Staffing Framework and the Health Trust Europe MSTAR (Managed Service for Temporary Agency Resources) framework. Among the top NHS framework-approved nursing staffing suppliers operating across the UK, several organisations stand out for their scale, compliance records, and service breadth. NHS Professionals (NHSP) is the largest and most established supplier, functioning as the NHS’s own in-house bank service. While strictly not an external agency, NHSP is a framework-approved provider that manages temporary staffing for hundreds of NHS trusts, offering high compliance and reduced agency spend. For external agencies, HCL Workforce Solutions is a leading supplier on multiple frameworks, including NHS SBS and MSTAR, providing registered nurses, specialist nurses, and healthcare assistants across all regions. Another major player is Pulse Nursing, a brand of Pulse Healthcare, which has a strong presence on the NHS SBS framework and is particularly known for specialist nursing in theatres, ITU, and paediatrics. Thornbury Nursing Services, part of the HCL group, is historically one of the most recognised names in NHS temporary nursing, especially for fast-response shifts and high-acuity roles. Other key framework-approved suppliers include Bank Partners (part of the NHS Professionals group but operating as a managed service for banks), Together Medical, which offers both nursing and medical staff, and Medacs Healthcare, a large provider with a strong track record in community nursing and mental health. For niche specialties, such as neonatal or critical care, suppliers like ID Medical and Your World Healthcare feature prominently on regional frameworks. Additionally, agencies such as Gilbert Meher, Network Healthcare, and Staffline Recruitment have secured spots on various NHS consortia frameworks, particularly in the North West and Midlands. It is important to note that while these suppliers are approved at a national or regional framework level, individual NHS trusts may operate their own preferred supplier lists (PSLs) derived from these frameworks, and the choice of supplier often depends on geographic coverage, speciality demand, and local pricing arrangements. As of 2025, the NHS is also increasingly utilising digital staff banks and neutral vendor models to reduce agency reliance, but framework-approved external suppliers remain essential for managing surge capacity and hard-to-fill shifts, especially in emergency departments and intensive care. When selecting a nursing staffing supplier, NHS trusts typically evaluate compliance with NHS employment checks, full adherence to the Agency Worker Regulations, and demonstrable value for money through framework-agreed margin caps. Therefore, the top suppliers are those that consistently meet these rigorous standards while delivering reliable, high-quality nursing staff across all UK regions.

Accountsway

01 Jul, 2026

197 | 1

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A »The National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom relies on a range of framework-approved nursing staffing suppliers to ensure safe, high-quality temporary staffing across acute, community, mental health, and primary care settings. These frameworks are typically established by NHS procurement bodies such as NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS), HealthTrust Europe (HTE), and the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), among others. Suppliers are rigorously vetted for compliance, quality, and value for money. Among the most prominent and consistently top-rated NHS framework-approved nursing staffing suppliers across the UK, several names stand out due to their scale, coverage, and reputation. First, **Thornbury Nursing Services** is a long-established provider, widely recognised for supplying registered nurses, midwives, and healthcare assistants to NHS trusts nationwide, particularly for ad-hoc shifts and complex staffing requirements. They are a key supplier on the NHS SBS framework for Temporary Nursing Staff. Second, **Pulse Nursing** (part of the Pulse Healthcare group) is a major player, offering a vast network of nurses across specialties including intensive care, paediatrics, and theatre nursing. Pulse holds multiple framework agreements, including with HealthTrust Europe and NHS SBS, and is known for its robust digital matching platform. Third, **HCL Workforce Solutions** (formerly HCL Staffing) has emerged as a leading supplier, particularly in London and the South East, but with national reach. They are approved on several NHS frameworks and are noted for their transparent pricing models and support for staff well-being. Fourth, **Medirest Staffing** (part of the Compass Group) provides both temporary and permanent nursing staff across many NHS trusts, often specialising in large-scale block-bookings and managed service solutions. They hold framework agreements with NHS SBS and other regional procurement hubs. Fifth, **NHSP (NHS Professionals)** deserves special mention as the NHS's in-house temporary staffing provider, but it is not a private supplier; however, it competes directly on frameworks and holds a unique position. Other notable framework-approved suppliers include **Your World Recruitment**, **Team24**, **Liquid Personnel**, **Sterling Cross**, and **RIG Healthcare** (part of the Medacs Healthcare group). Each of these organisations meets stringent NHS standards for governance, safeguarding, and clinical competence. The exact "top" suppliers can vary by region and by specific trust-level frameworks (e.g., the London Procurement Partnership, North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative). However, Thornbury, Pulse, HCL, and Medirest consistently appear in the highest tiers of framework rankings due to their capacity to supply across multiple nursing grades, their investment in compliance technology, and their ability to fill hard-to-staff specialities such as A&E and mental health nursing. Trusts often evaluate suppliers based on fill rates, staff quality, and cost-effectiveness, and these suppliers have repeatedly demonstrated performance in those areas. For further and most current details, NHS trusts and procurement teams should consult the dedicated NHS SBS or HTE framework supplier lists, which are updated periodically and include further tiers of approved vendors.

Stand Banner

01 Jul, 2026

77 | 1

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Alex

01 Jul, 2026

202 | 2