Bank staffing allows the National Health Service to meet workforce demand fluctuations without the need to increase capacity above that which is required on a sustained basis. NHS Professionals pay bank members in accordance with rates set by its NHS clients. The total staff remuneration paid through NHS Professionals’ bank staff contracts for 2024/25, the year ending March 2025, was approximately £1.1 billion.

This information is publicly available as part of NHS Professionals’ Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2025, at the following link:

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06704614/filing-history

NHS Professionals is constituted as a company that competes for business in a commercial market. The terms and conditions that it offers its employees, including access to pension schemes, are the equivalent to those of its market competitors. If access to the NHS Pension Scheme was provided, the company would be required to fully pass on any additional associated costs to its National Health Service customers. This would be counter to the Government’s ambition to eliminate agency use and reduce bank spend in the NHS.

No such assessment has been made. NHS Professionals is a private limited company operating in a competitive environment to secure contracts with National Health Service trusts, and as such it makes its own assessment of the terms upon which it attracts and retains its employees.

NHS Professionals Ltd (NHSP), a limited company wholly owned by the Department, is a supplier of clinical and non-clinical temporary workforce to client National Health Service trusts.

The following table shows NHSP profit before tax and dividends paid to the Department over the last five years:

Dividends received from NHSP are not ringfenced for specific purposes, but they are directly invested back into the wider healthcare economy by the Department. Where dividends are not taken, any profits generated are retained within the business and reinvested to support the delivery of its strategy.

Full details of profits, dividend payments and declarations are shown in NHSP’s statutory accounts which are available at the following link:

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06704614

The Department spent approximately £2.8 million on external advisers’ costs during the sale process for NHS Professionals until the decision was announced on 7 September that NHS Professionals will remain wholly in public ownership. The Government concluded that none of the offers received for NHS Professionals reflected the Company’s growing potential and improved performance.

These costs will be recovered by taking a divided payment from NHS Professionals, so this will not impact on delivering frontline National Health Service services. It is normal practice for limited companies such as NHS Professionals to make dividend payments from their distributable profits to their shareholder, in this case the Department. Sufficient cash will be retained in the company though to ensure its operations and any necessary investment can be properly funded.

The Department decided to instigate a sale of a majority shareholding in NHS Professionals Ltd in November 2016. The Department received a number of expressions of interest following a successful Open Day and a number of responses to pre-qualification documents from which six bidders were shortlisted.

Although the sale process was not subject to procurement regulations; it was advertised by placing a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union to ensure transparency and also that that as many interested parties as possible were aware of the opportunity.

In a Written Ministerial Statement on 7 September, the Department announced that NHS Professionals will remain in wholly public ownership. After careful consideration, the Government has concluded that none of the offers received for NHS Professionals through the open, rigorous bidding process reflected the company’s growing potential and improved performance.

Since the decision was taken to seek offers, NHS Professionals has significantly increased its performance such that audited profit before tax for the year ended 31 March 2017 was 44% higher than in the previous year. This improvement in financial performance continues to be built upon in the first quarter of the current year. The company’s improved financial and operational performance means it can now invest in improved IT infrastructure, expand its services to the National Health Service and transform into a world-class provider of flexible staff whilst remaining under public ownership – generating further savings for the NHS, all of which will continue to be reinvested in frontline services.

The Department decided to instigate a sale of a majority shareholding in NHS Professionals Ltd in November 2016. The Department received a number of expressions of interest following a successful Open Day and a number of responses to pre-qualification documents from which six bidders were shortlisted.

Although the sale process was not subject to procurement regulations; it was advertised by placing a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union to ensure transparency and also that that as many interested parties as possible were aware of the opportunity.

In a Written Ministerial Statement on 7 September, the Department announced that NHS Professionals will remain in wholly public ownership. After careful consideration, the Government has concluded that none of the offers received for NHS Professionals through the open, rigorous bidding process reflected the company’s growing potential and improved performance.

Since the decision was taken to seek offers, NHS Professionals has significantly increased its performance such that audited profit before tax for the year ended 31 March 2017 was 44% higher than in the previous year. This improvement in financial performance continues to be built upon in the first quarter of the current year. The company’s improved financial and operational performance means it can now invest in improved IT infrastructure, expand its services to the National Health Service and transform into a world-class provider of flexible staff whilst remaining under public ownership – generating further savings for the NHS, all of which will continue to be reinvested in frontline services.

In a Written Ministerial Statement on 7 September, the Department announced that NHS Professionals will remain in wholly public ownership. After careful consideration, the Government has concluded that none of the offers received for NHS Professionals through the open, rigorous bidding process conducted reflected the company’s growing potential and improved performance.

Since the decision was taken to seek offers, NHS Professionals has significantly increased its performance such that audited profit before tax for the year ended 31 March 2017 was 44% higher than in the previous year. This improvement in financial performance continues to be built upon in the first quarter of the current year. The company’s improved financial and operational performance means it can now invest in improved IT infrastructure, expand its services to the National Health Service and transform into a world-class provider of flexible staff whilst remaining under public ownership – generating further savings for the NHS, all of which will continue to be reinvested in frontline services.

A key commercial feature of the sale transaction is that NHS Professionals Ltd (NHSP) must act to maintain a business model based on supplying high quality healthcare staff at low margins to National Health Service clients. Breach of this principal gives the Department the right to repurchase its shares.

As part of the competitive bidding process, bidders were required to submit business plans indicating how growing NHSP will help reduce NHS spend through a combination of greater use of ‘bank’ over agency staff, growth of products such as locum doctors and international recruitment, growth in market share, and reduced costs to customers.

The Department is currently in confidential commercial negotiations with interested bidders and cannot comment further on the nature or identity of bids. The Department will disclose the full cost of the process upon its completion.

A key commercial feature of the sale transaction is that NHS Professionals Ltd (NHSP) must act to maintain a business model based on supplying high quality healthcare staff at low margins to National Health Service clients. Breach of this principal gives the Department the right to repurchase its shares.

As part of the competitive bidding process, bidders were required to submit business plans indicating how growing NHSP will help reduce NHS spend through a combination of greater use of ‘bank’ over agency staff, growth of products such as locum doctors and international recruitment, growth in market share, and reduced costs to customers.

The Department is currently in confidential commercial negotiations with interested bidders and cannot comment further on the nature or identity of bids. The Department will disclose the full cost of the process upon its completion.

The Department announced its intention to sell a majority shareholding in NHS Professionals Ltd in November last year (2016). The Department received a number of expressions of interests following a successful Open Day and a number of responses to pre-qualification documents. The Department is currently in confidential commercial negotiations with interested bidders and cannot comment further on the nature or identity of bids. The Department will disclose the full cost of the process upon its completion.

In 2014 a stakeholder engagement process was undertaken by the Department and NHS P about the future of NHS P which involved talking to National Health Service trusts and various stakeholders in the Department, NHS Employers and NHS Improvement.

NHS Professionals’ NHS clients, staff, representative unions, and registered workers have been kept advised of the potential sale process since its commencement in July 2016. Prior to the announcement in November 2016 on the intention to sell, an email was shared with all NHS Professionals staff explaining the nature of the process. This information was also shared with trades unions representing staff, with whom, prior meetings had also been held.

The Department announced its intention to sell a majority shareholding in NHS Professionals Ltd in November last year (2016). The Department received a number of expressions of interests following a successful Open Day and a number of responses to pre-qualification documents. The Department is currently in confidential commercial negotiations with interested bidders and cannot comment further on the nature or identity of bids. The Department will disclose the full cost of the process upon its completion.

In 2014 a stakeholder engagement process was undertaken by the Department and NHS P about the future of NHS P which involved talking to National Health Service trusts and various stakeholders in the Department, NHS Employers and NHS Improvement.

NHS Professionals’ NHS clients, staff, representative unions, and registered workers have been kept advised of the potential sale process since its commencement in July 2016. Prior to the announcement in November 2016 on the intention to sell, an email was shared with all NHS Professionals staff explaining the nature of the process. This information was also shared with trades unions representing staff, with whom, prior meetings had also been held.

The Department announced its intention to sell a majority shareholding in NHS Professionals Ltd in November last year (2016). The Department received a number of expressions of interests following a successful Open Day and a number of responses to pre-qualification documents. The Department is currently in confidential commercial negotiations with interested bidders and cannot comment further on the nature or identity of bids. The Department will disclose the full cost of the process upon its completion.

In 2014 a stakeholder engagement process was undertaken by the Department and NHS P about the future of NHS P which involved talking to National Health Service trusts and various stakeholders in the Department, NHS Employers and NHS Improvement.

NHS Professionals’ NHS clients, staff, representative unions, and registered workers have been kept advised of the potential sale process since its commencement in July 2016. Prior to the announcement in November 2016 on the intention to sell, an email was shared with all NHS Professionals staff explaining the nature of the process. This information was also shared with trades unions representing staff, with whom, prior meetings had also been held.

The Department announced its intention to sell a majority shareholding in NHS Professionals Ltd in November last year (2016). The Department received a number of expressions of interests following a successful Open Day and a number of responses to pre-qualification documents. The Department is currently in confidential commercial negotiations with interested bidders and cannot comment further on the nature or identity of bids. The Department will disclose the full cost of the process upon its completion.

In 2014 a stakeholder engagement process was undertaken by the Department and NHS P about the future of NHS P which involved talking to National Health Service trusts and various stakeholders in the Department, NHS Employers and NHS Improvement.

NHS Professionals’ NHS clients, staff, representative unions, and registered workers have been kept advised of the potential sale process since its commencement in July 2016. Prior to the announcement in November 2016 on the intention to sell, an email was shared with all NHS Professionals staff explaining the nature of the process. This information was also shared with trades unions representing staff, with whom, prior meetings had also been held.

The Department announced its intention to sell a majority shareholding in NHS Professionals Ltd (NHSP) in November last year (2016). The Department received a number of expressions of interest following a successful Open Day and a number of responses to pre-qualification documents. The Department is currently in confidential commercial negotiations with interested bidders and cannot comment further on the nature or identity of bids.

The aim of this transaction is to ensure that NHSP has the technology, investment, skills and experience to grow for the benefit of both NHS patients and NHS staff. The staff ‘bank’ model works by offering NHS staff the opportunity voluntarily to undertake extra shifts. This enables staff to earn extra money, working in a familiar environment and within a predictable shift pattern. Bank staff are paid at a rate that is generally close to their permanent pay rate.

The key commercial feature of the potential transaction is that the Company must act to maintain a business model based on supplying high quality healthcare staff at low margins, to NHS clients. Breach of this principal would give the Department the right to repurchase its shares. The new majority shareholder would run and control the Company, but the minority stake retained by the Department would allow it to benefit from future increases in the value of the Company and also give the Department a seat on the board and oversight of its plans and operations.

In 2014 a stakeholder engagement process was undertaken by the Department and NHSP about the future of NHSP which involved talking to NHS trusts and various stakeholders in the Department of Health, NHS Employers and NHS Improvement.

NHS Professionals’ NHS clients, staff, representative unions, and registered NHS ‘bank workers’ have been kept advised of the potential sale process since its commencement in July 2016. Prior to the announcement in November 2016 on the intention to sell, an email was shared with all NHS Professionals staff explaining the nature of the process. This information was also shared with trades unions representing staff, with whom prior meetings had also been held.

The Department announced its intention to sell a majority shareholding in NHS Professionals Ltd (NHSP) in November last year (2016). The Department received a number of expressions of interest following a successful Open Day and a number of responses to pre-qualification documents. The Department is currently in confidential commercial negotiations with interested bidders and cannot comment further on the nature or identity of bids.

The aim of this transaction is to ensure that NHSP has the technology, investment, skills and experience to grow for the benefit of both NHS patients and NHS staff. The staff ‘bank’ model works by offering NHS staff the opportunity voluntarily to undertake extra shifts. This enables staff to earn extra money, working in a familiar environment and within a predictable shift pattern. Bank staff are paid at a rate that is generally close to their permanent pay rate.

The key commercial feature of the potential transaction is that the Company must act to maintain a business model based on supplying high quality healthcare staff at low margins, to NHS clients. Breach of this principal would give the Department the right to repurchase its shares. The new majority shareholder would run and control the Company, but the minority stake retained by the Department would allow it to benefit from future increases in the value of the Company and also give the Department a seat on the board and oversight of its plans and operations.

In 2014 a stakeholder engagement process was undertaken by the Department and NHSP about the future of NHSP which involved talking to NHS trusts and various stakeholders in the Department of Health, NHS Employers and NHS Improvement.

NHS Professionals’ NHS clients, staff, representative unions, and registered NHS ‘bank workers’ have been kept advised of the potential sale process since its commencement in July 2016. Prior to the announcement in November 2016 on the intention to sell, an email was shared with all NHS Professionals staff explaining the nature of the process. This information was also shared with trades unions representing staff, with whom prior meetings had also been held.

The Department announced its intention to sell a majority shareholding in NHS Professionals Ltd (NHSP) in November last year (2016). The Department received a number of expressions of interest following a successful Open Day and a number of responses to pre-qualification documents. The Department is currently in confidential commercial negotiations with interested bidders and cannot comment further on the nature or identity of bids.

The aim of this transaction is to ensure that NHSP has the technology, investment, skills and experience to grow for the benefit of both NHS patients and NHS staff. The staff ‘bank’ model works by offering NHS staff the opportunity voluntarily to undertake extra shifts. This enables staff to earn extra money, working in a familiar environment and within a predictable shift pattern. Bank staff are paid at a rate that is generally close to their permanent pay rate.

The key commercial feature of the potential transaction is that the Company must act to maintain a business model based on supplying high quality healthcare staff at low margins, to NHS clients. Breach of this principal would give the Department the right to repurchase its shares. The new majority shareholder would run and control the Company, but the minority stake retained by the Department would allow it to benefit from future increases in the value of the Company and also give the Department a seat on the board and oversight of its plans and operations.

In 2014 a stakeholder engagement process was undertaken by the Department and NHSP about the future of NHSP which involved talking to NHS trusts and various stakeholders in the Department of Health, NHS Employers and NHS Improvement.

NHS Professionals’ NHS clients, staff, representative unions, and registered NHS ‘bank workers’ have been kept advised of the potential sale process since its commencement in July 2016. Prior to the announcement in November 2016 on the intention to sell, an email was shared with all NHS Professionals staff explaining the nature of the process. This information was also shared with trades unions representing staff, with whom prior meetings had also been held.

The Department announced its intention to sell a majority shareholding in NHS Professionals Ltd (NHSP) in November last year (2016). The Department received a number of expressions of interest following a successful Open Day and a number of responses to pre-qualification documents. The Department is currently in confidential commercial negotiations with interested bidders and cannot comment further on the nature or identity of bids.

The aim of this transaction is to ensure that NHSP has the technology, investment, skills and experience to grow for the benefit of both NHS patients and NHS staff. The staff ‘bank’ model works by offering NHS staff the opportunity voluntarily to undertake extra shifts. This enables staff to earn extra money, working in a familiar environment and within a predictable shift pattern. Bank staff are paid at a rate that is generally close to their permanent pay rate.

The key commercial feature of the potential transaction is that the Company must act to maintain a business model based on supplying high quality healthcare staff at low margins, to NHS clients. Breach of this principal would give the Department the right to repurchase its shares. The new majority shareholder would run and control the Company, but the minority stake retained by the Department would allow it to benefit from future increases in the value of the Company and also give the Department a seat on the board and oversight of its plans and operations.

In 2014 a stakeholder engagement process was undertaken by the Department and NHSP about the future of NHSP which involved talking to NHS trusts and various stakeholders in the Department of Health, NHS Employers and NHS Improvement.

NHS Professionals’ NHS clients, staff, representative unions, and registered NHS ‘bank workers’ have been kept advised of the potential sale process since its commencement in July 2016. Prior to the announcement in November 2016 on the intention to sell, an email was shared with all NHS Professionals staff explaining the nature of the process. This information was also shared with trades unions representing staff, with whom prior meetings had also been held.