Delivering a Sustainable Workforce Solution Through Managed Bank, Neutral Vendor and Direct Engagement
Overview
Like many NHS organisations, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) was looking to reduce agency spend while maintaining safe staffing levels and improving workforce sustainability.
In April 2024, Agile Workforce partnered with the Trust to implement a comprehensive workforce solution combining Managed Bank, Neutral Vendor and Direct Engagement services. Initially supporting all staffing groups except Medical Services, the partnership expanded in March 2026 to include Medical staffing through the Direct Engagement model.
Working closely with the Trust's workforce teams, Agile Workforce delivered a carefully managed transition that strengthened governance, increased bank utilisation and significantly reduced reliance on agency staffing—all while ensuring continuity of care for patients.
The Challenge
CWP needed a workforce solution that would:
- Reduce agency expenditure without compromising patient care.
- Increase utilisation of the Trust's own staff bank.
- Improve compliance with NHS agency rate caps.
- Introduce greater visibility and control over temporary staffing.
- Deliver financial efficiencies while supporting long-term workforce resilience.
Rather than implementing a short-term fix, the Trust wanted a strategic partner that could work collaboratively with operational teams to develop a sustainable staffing model.
Our Solution
Agile Workforce introduced an integrated workforce solution tailored to the Trust's requirements.
The programme combined:
- Managed Bank to maximise engagement with the Trust's own temporary workforce.
- Neutral Vendor to provide a single point of control for agency bookings and supplier management.
- Direct Engagement, introduced for Medical staffing from March 2026, enabling compliant engagement of locum doctors while delivering additional VAT savings.
Throughout implementation, Agile Workforce worked closely alongside Trust stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption to services. Operational support, ongoing performance monitoring and regular reporting enabled continuous optimisation of the workforce model as demand evolved.
The Results
The partnership has delivered measurable operational and financial improvements across the Trust.
A significant reduction in agency spend
One of the most notable outcomes has been the reduction in agency expenditure. During the 2024/25 financial year, agency spend totalled £4.20 million. Following implementation of Agile Workforce's Managed Bank and Neutral Vendor solution, this reduced to £1.42 million in 2025/26.
This represents a reduction of approximately 66%, helping the Trust improve financial control while maintaining safe staffing levels.
Increased uptake of Direct Engagement
Following the introduction of Medical Direct Engagement in March 2026, adoption has been strong. By May 2026, 77.6% of eligible medical bookings were being processed through the Direct Engagement model.
This has enabled the Trust to reduce agency reliance further while providing a compliant and efficient route for engaging locum doctors.
Delivering additional financial savings
The introduction of Direct Engagement also generated further savings through reduced VAT costs. By May 2026, the Trust had already realised £31,270 in VAT savings across Medical staffing, creating additional efficiencies beyond agency spend reduction alone.
Maintaining workforce stability
Importantly, these changes were achieved without candidate attrition during implementation. Careful planning, clear communication and close collaboration with workforce teams ensured continuity of service throughout the transition, helping maintain staffing resilience and minimise disruption to clinical services.
Why It Worked
The success of the partnership was built on more than technology or process.
Agile Workforce worked as an extension of the Trust's workforce team, providing proactive operational support, transparent reporting and ongoing performance reviews to continuously improve outcomes.
By combining Managed Bank, Neutral Vendor and Direct Engagement into a single integrated solution, the Trust gained greater visibility over temporary staffing, stronger governance and improved financial control while creating a more sustainable workforce model for the future.
Looking Ahead
As workforce challenges across the NHS continue to evolve, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust now has a scalable temporary staffing model that supports both day-to-day operational delivery and longer-term workforce objectives.
The partnership demonstrates how a collaborative, strategically managed workforce solution can reduce costs, improve governance and strengthen workforce resilience without compromising patient care.
Ready to strengthen your workforce strategy?
Whether you're looking to reduce agency spend, improve bank utilisation or explore Direct Engagement, Agile Workforce can work with your organisation to develop a solution tailored to your workforce needs.
Get in touch with our team today to discuss how we can support your Trust. [email protected]