A freedom of information request sent to NHS Trusts in London by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) has revealed that half of respondents had done no specific impact assessment of patient outcomes relating to the directive to cut use of agency staff by ‘30% in the short term'.

The number of trusts not knowing the impact of these cuts could be even higher because responses from certain trusts were unclear about whether an impact assessment was done or not.

The REC said that given the relative scale of trusts in London, this outcome is likely to be the case across much of England.

The trade body is urging DHSC to rethink this careless ‘cut first, consider later' approach to shedding thousands of agency staff from within its ranks and instead, work in partnership with healthcare staffing firms on a safer and more sustainable NHS staffing workforce plan.

REC chief executive, Neil Carberry, said: ‘It should concern us all that the impact of this meaningless crusade is on more than costs. The lack of proper impact assessments by so many NHS Trusts reflects the pace of change, as policymaking is rushed and agencies scapegoated.

‘How can the government ask NHS Trusts to cut 30% of agency staff use without making sure they assess the impact of this significant cut on patient care. Such assessments should be mandatory and publicly available so the secretary of state can be held accountable for the consequences of this policy.

‘On behalf of compliant, well-regulated, and care-focused agencies, the REC stands where it always has – ready to work with the NHS and the Department of Health on sustainable solutions. Scapegoating of agencies has run out of road and has solved no problems. The system did need and does need to change, and working with rather than against agencies to control spending, improve care and engage staff has a far bigger upside. We hope the government finally sees this in 2026.'

The DHSC and NHS England have been approached for comment.