UK health firm sees rising demands

Medical staff provider Healthcare Locums (HCL) said today it expects to pluck more senior workers from overseas as it attempts to fill vacancies in the UK.

The Loughton, Essex-based recruitment agency for highly qualified hospital staff and social workers said 40% of its workforce currently came from abroad.

HCL believes increasing demand for specialist workers, such as physios and radiographers, could push the figure up to 45% or even 50% over the next year.

The company, which saw operating profits hit £2.1m (€3.13m) during the half-year to June 30 compared with £1m (€1.5m) in 2005, said there was a “serious shortage” of GPs and qualified social workers in the UK.

Chief executive Kate Bleasdale said: “We know we have an ageing population and don’t have enough trained people coming into the industry.

“We are fulfilling the needs of the market by bringing in new staff that can carry out roles for which there is a real need in the healthcare service.”

The company said one in six GPs were approaching retirement age, while there was a growing number of female GPs who may want to work more flexible hours.

In January it acquired BBL Medical Recruitment for £10.5m (€15.65m) and Medical & Social Work Professionals for £1.2m (€1.8m) to help cater for the increased demand. The impact of the acquisitions helped drive the profits boost today.