From staffing gaps to shift shortages, and even rising demands for specialist care, NHS hirers today face intense pressure.
The right medical recruitment agency can be a powerful partner, helping NHS trusts navigate today’s challenges and keep services safe and fully staffed.
In this blog, we explore how trusted UK locum agencies and healthcare employment agencies support NHS trusts. We will look at how agencies, such as our team at Interact, connect clinicians and trusts across the UK, to deliver essential patient care.
Why NHS hirers need strong locum support
Across the NHS, clinicians are needed every day to cover gaps in A&E, wards, community services, and specialist units. Absence, annual leave, surges in demand, and rota mismatches all create pressure. The fastest fix? A reliable locum agency that can fill the void quickly and compliantly.
Partnering with a healthcare professional agency offers:
- Faster access to vetted, qualified clinicians
- Reduced administrative burden (onboarding and compliance checks)
- Flexibility to scale staffing up or down
- Assurance of quality and continuity
The right healthcare hiring agency becomes an extension of your trust’s team.
What makes the “best locum agency” for NHS hirers?
Not all agencies are created equal. When choosing a medical recruitment partner, look for:
- Framework accreditation
Chose an agency approved on NHS national frameworks. Interact Medical is a supplier on all national frameworks in the UK and meets the required standards. - Robust compliance and safety checks
Background checks, DBS, immunisations, credential verification are essential before a locum starts a placement. Our compliance process aligns with current legislation and framework requirements. - Specialism and range of clinicians
Our team supports every clinical specialty, from locum doctors to agency nurses, AHPs, and Healthcare Science (HSS) roles. - Nationwide and international reach
For hard-to-cover roles, international recruitment can help. Our international team connects you with clinicians from abroad. - Support services (revalidation, appraisal etc)
For agency clinicians, maintaining registration and revalidation is a must-have. We provide revalidation support and workshops to all our candidates. - Speed, reliability, communication
The best agencies communicate clearly, resolve issues promptly, and deliver consistently. Trust hiring teams need predictability, we understand this.
How Interact Medical supports NHS hirers
Nationwide, integrated supply
We offer access to medical locum networks, providing staff solutions across every region of the UK, (both to the private and NHS sectors).
Compliance and safety assurance
Before any placement, our compliance team verifies training, DBS status, health screening, references, and immunisations in line with national standards, reducing risk for employers.
Tailored support and trust relationship
We are more than a staffing supplier. Our recruitment consultants collaborate closely with clients to understand local needs, finding the right clinician, grade, and specialty.
Revalidation and professional support
To reduce burden on trusts and clinicians, we can help with appraisal, revalidation planning and submission support. Find out more about this service.
Permanent
If you need a blend of locum cover and permanent placements, we can help, supporting continuity and flexibility.
Benefits to NHS hirers partnering with locum and healthcare agencies
- Continuity of care and patient safety
Filling gaps promptly helps maintain standards and reduce risk. - Reduced internal burden
Hiring, compliance, payroll, and administration managed by us. - Access to niche and specialist staff
For hard-to-fill roles (e.g., cardiology, ICU), our specialist recruiters broaden candidate reach. - Scalable flexibility
Flex staffing up or down with minimal disruption. - Improved retention and morale
Reducing pressure on permanent teams helps prevent burnout.
How locum and healthcare agencies help clinicians
Agencies don’t just support trusts, we also help clinicians find their next opportunity or medical locum job:
- Access to more opportunities across multiple trusts
- Help with credentialing, compliance, and revalidation
- Flexibility to pick shifts or supplement permanent roles
- Access to exclusive roles available only via agency
- Administrative support and timely payment
At Interact Medical, we encourage clinicians to register for opportunities across many grades and specialties.
Navigating international recruitment and the wider agency landscape
Many NHS hirers recruit internationally, particularly for nursing and AHP roles. To ensure a smooth process, partner with an experienced international recruitment agency in the UK. Our experienced international team supports overseas clinicians entering UK practice, reducing complexity for everyone.
Tips for NHS hirers selecting a locum partner
Ready to onboard a locum agency in the UK? Consider:
- Framework accreditation and audit history
- Transparency on compliance and credentialing processes
- Candidate retention rates and satisfaction
- Support for revalidation and CPD
- Regional coverage and specialty depth
- Effective communication and service levels
Speak to our team about your NHS requirements.
Future trends in locum, technology, and hybrid staffing
Looking ahead, we expect continued innovation:
- Digital platforms that automate matching, rostering, shift allocation
- Integrated workforce planning across permanent, bank, and locum staff
- International recruitment growth to bridge local shortages.
- Expanded agency support services (training, credentialing, CPD, wellbeing)
Agencies must evolve to deliver the best outcomes for the NHS and for candidates. As a trusted medical recruitment agency, we are always looking for ways to support our clinicians and trust partners.
Get started with a leading UK locum agency
NHS hirers need recruitment partners who deliver safe, efficient, flexible staffing. Trusted medical recruitment agencies and UK locum agencies like Interact provide reach, compliance, support, and continuity.
Get timely access to talent, reduce internal burden, and protect patient care, get started today by discussing your needs with our team of recruitment experts.