The success of a major vaccine rollout in the UK was supported using technology supplied by Edinburgh-based tech firm Amiqus.

The company provided its remote pre-employment screening technology to recruitment services used by multiple NHS organisations in the Northeast of England. It was used for pre-employment checks on NHS staff, according to the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).

Sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care, the organisation estimates that the use of Amiqus’ technology has led to a saving of £1.3 million worth of time for NHS recruiters in 2021, speeding up the recruitment of vaccinators and returning clinicians.

In addition, there are currently plans for the platform to be rolled out to a further five trusts following the success of the NHSBSA programme.

NHSBSA Head of HR Transactions Samantha Peterson said: “The number one cause of dissatisfaction among NHS recruiters is pre-employment screening.

“Before using Amiqus, we’d be looking at around three weeks of delay at the recruitment manager level just to verify documents, such as ID and “right to work”. The time we’re saving by using Amiqus is phenomenal and has the added value of reducing stress among our recruiters, who continue to be pushed for resources.

“Our partnership with Amiqus has also made a real difference to our growth work. We’re able to be more creative with the services we can offer. What we have achieved can also be used as a blueprint for NHS trusts across the UK. Accessing our digital pre-employment checking service ensures that there is no lengthy procurement process; through the freeing up of internal resources and the creation of capacity our health service, and ultimately patients, will quickly reap the benefits.”

Amiqus’ technology, which can be used remotely or in person by regulated service providers enables secure and compliant remote due diligence. This forms an essential part of high-stakes transactions, such as public sector recruitment, since employers have had to adapt to social distancing, remote working and worker shortages.

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Senior Commercial Manager at Amiqus Richie Stewart said: “When it became clear in 2020 that the NHS would need to recruit returning clinicians we hoped our technology could make a difference and accelerated our plans to engage with the public sector.

“Our team worked incredibly hard while facing the pressures and uncertainties that the pandemic brought to every household, so we’re truly delighted we’ve helped get vaccinators and NHS workers to their posts faster. Now that push has started a series of meaningful conversations with NHSBSA about where to focus our efforts next.

“Without early-stage support from CivTech, it would have been incredibly difficult to access the public sector framework required to allow the NHSBSA to engage with us. As we consider how to improve public sector services and overcome the challenges presented by Covid-19 and beyond, it is vital that private sector companies like ours are part of this conversation. The talent and innovation is there for the taking. We just need better access to be able to help.”

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