NHS Professionals does not recruit to specific vacancies. It recruits to its bank of flexible workers and these staff are available to work in its partner trusts as and when required. The bank includes staff who hold substantive posts at NHS trusts and those staff who work only as bank staff through NHS Professionals. Staff who hold substantive roles and wish to work additional shifts at the same trust are recruited to the bank on average in seven working days. The average period of time for non-substantive post holders is 35 working days but this varies depending on Criminal Records Bureau checks and reference returns.
The process takes this length of time because NHSP recruitment operates within stringent guidelines published by the Department designed to protect staff and patients.