• NHS Improvement published an update on agency spending by NHS trusts
• It argues that £480m could be saved by further reducing spending on staffing agencies
• Trusts have reduced agency spending by a third since NHS Improvement introduced measures to cap costs in 2015
• NHS Improvement encourages trusts to take a 'bank first' approach to recruiting temporary staff

The deputy director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, Miriam Deakin, said:

"Trusts have put tremendous effort into reducing the number of agency staff they use and to ensure that have the right staff, with the right skills to meet the needs of patients.

"In the last financial year, trusts made significant reductions in the cost of agency staff for example by introducing new ways of rostering staff and encouraging greater use of bank shifts and staff.

Temporary staff continue to play an important role in the NHS staffing mix, but we urgently need a long-term approach to staffing that is underpinned by a comprehensive workforce strategy.

Miriam Deakin    Co-Director of Development and Engagement

"The reliance on agencies across the health and care system is a sticking plaster solution for the growing number of vacancies across the NHS and the increase in demand for services.

"Temporary staff continue to play an important role in the NHS staffing mix, but we urgently need a long-term approach to staffing that is underpinned by a comprehensive workforce strategy."