NHS West of Scotland Health Board and NHS Forth Valley engaged Retinue Solutions under the CCS RM3711 Framework for Multidisciplinary Medical Locums Service
Requirement
The client needed support in the delivery of significant cost savings whilst streamlining their workforce management processes. They wanted to partner with a single supplier experienced in temporary locum management. They needed to:
- deliver an efficient service whilst managing cost savings and compliance
- maintain a high standard of service while driving cost efficiencies
- rectify unsustainable locum spend and charge rates that weren’t offering value for money
Solution
Working in partnership with NHS West of Scotland, Retinue delivered a Managed Service Solution as a Neutral Vendor. Demonstrating the value of our solutions through healthcare case studies, Retinue outlined how we typically deliver 19.6% in savings without affecting frontline cover and patient safety.
We implemented dedicated project teams, including:
- supplier managers and auditors to assess compliance
- stakeholder briefings on new processes
- ongoing training for internal teams
These project teams were led by local account directors and implementation specialists who understood regional challenges and were familiar with the local medical community. Retinue deployed its proprietary Vendor Management System (VMS) to increase visibility and control of agency spending — enabling electronic timesheeting and a single portal for workforce management information (MI) across local and regional sites.
Results
- £4 million in Medical Locum savings
- Average pay rate reduction of £2.43 per hour
- Regional policy alignment for pay, commission, VAT, overtime, travel and accommodation
- Improved workforce planning, reducing short-notice bookings and rota inefficiencies
- Up to 19% sustainable, cash-releasing savings through process efficiencies
- Enhanced visibility and value for money, supporting long-term commercial workforce strategies
This partnership demonstrates how neutral vendor models in healthcare can improve fill rates, strengthen compliance, and deliver lasting workforce stability for NHS providers.