Strategic agency-to-bank migration across London ICBs 

Helping NHS trusts transition from agency to bank   

NHS trusts across North East and North Central London were tasked with reducing agency spend while maintaining safe staffing levels and workforce continuity. Through a structured agency-to-bank migration programme, organisations across both ICBs have reduced agency reliance, delivered substantial savings and strengthened their approach to temporary workforce supply.

Working alongside local workforce teams, Bank Partners delivered a tailored migration approach designed around the needs of each trust and their workforce challenges.

Client 

NHS trusts across North East London ICB and North Central London ICB. 

Challenge

With NHS England mandating a 30% reduction in agency spend, trusts across London faced pressure to reduce agency reliance without compromising patient care or safe staffing levels.  

Fragmented supply chains and inconsistent engagement approaches made it difficult to implement effective change. Trusts also needed greater visibility of the workforce behaviours contributing to agency usage.   

Our approach

Bank Partners implemented a five-phase agency-to-bank migration model, adapting the approach to the needs of each trust.

The programme began with an in-depth review of agency usage and workforce behaviours. In partnership with trust teams, we developed locally relevant migration strategies and engaged directly with workers and managers to build understanding and encourage participation.

Our teams provided practical support throughout onboarding and the operational transition to bank. Progress was monitored to identify where the approach needed to evolve and help trusts sustain the results achieved. Participating trusts could also access preferential partner rates through Acacium Group alongside flexible payroll models and wider workforce consultancy support.

Results 

North East London ICB: Barts Health and BHRUT 

• £3.5 million saved between January 2024 and July 2025  

• 288 agency transfers facilitated 

• 597,300 agency hours eliminated  

• 86% bank fill maintained  

• 927,700+ shifts filled at preferential rates  

North Central London ICB: UCLH, Whittington, Moorfields, GOSH and North Middlesex 

• £783,200 saved between January 2024 and July 2025 

• 145 agency transfers facilitated  

• 298,100 agency hours eliminated  

• 80% bank fill maintained  

• 589,700+ shifts filled at preferential rates  

• Agency spend brought below the target cap for 2024/25  

Embedding a bank-first approach

The programme went beyond transferring workers onto bank arrangements. Local engagement helped trusts address the behaviours influencing agency usage, while embedded support allowed practical challenges to be resolved throughout the migration.

Ongoing monitoring helped maintain the improvements made. This enabled trusts to reduce agency reliance while preserving bank fill and access to workforce supply.  

Client outcome 

Across both ICBs, the programme delivered more than £4.28 million in savings between January 2024 and July 2025. A total of 433 agency transfers were facilitated and 895,400 agency hours were eliminated. These combined totals are calculated from the published results for North East and North Central London.

The participating trusts gained greater control of agency spend and a more sustainable approach to temporary workforce supply.

Ready to reduce agency reliance? 

Talk to our team about how a structured agency-to-bank migration programme could support your workforce goals.