For NHS Trusts looking to increase diagnostic capacity, both insourcing and locum agency staffing can be effective solutions. However, they operate under different models of governance, accountability and cost.
Insourcing: A Fully Managed Clinical Service
Insourcing delivers a complete clinical service rather than simply supplying staff. The provider assumes responsibility for:
- Clinical quality
- Patient safety
- Workforce competency
- Service delivery
- Audit and continuous improvement
As a clinical service, insourced cardiac diagnostics are VAT-exempt.
At Sanus Cor, echocardiography and cardiac diagnostics are delivered through a fully managed model with structured governance, incident reporting and ongoing quality assurance. To maintain high standards, 5-10% of scans are independently audited by a BSE-accredited physiologist.
Locum Agency Staffing: Flexible Workforce Support
Locum agencies provide qualified clinicians to support existing NHS teams, particularly during periods of vacancy, sickness or increased demand.
In this model, responsibility for governance, quality oversight and service management typically remains with the Trust.
Looking Beyond Headline Rates
When evaluating external support, the lowest rate does not always represent the best value.
Poor-quality diagnostics can result in repeat investigations, additional clinical review and delays to patient pathways. While organisations bear the financial cost, patients ultimately experience the greatest impact.
It is therefore important to assess not only price, but also:
- Governance arrangements
- Quality assurance processes
- Clinical oversight
- Accountability for service delivery
- Total cost of delivery
A managed insourcing service typically combines workforce, governance, quality assurance and service management within a single agreed fee. Workforce supply models may involve additional costs such as VAT, agency fees, employment on-costs and local management requirements, with a final price often exceeding that of an insourced clinical service – with none of the clinical governance benefits.
The Right Solution Depends on Your Needs
Ultimately, the best value comes from delivering safe, high-quality diagnostics that improve patient outcomes, not simply from securing the lowest headline price. To discuss this with our Operations Manager please click the link below.
