Choosing the right healthcare recruitment agency for your GP practice or Primary Care Network (PCN) is a critical decision that impacts patient care, team efficiency, and operational success. The right recruitment partner helps you save time, streamline hiring, and secure high-quality clinicians—while the wrong agency can lead to compliance risks, staff shortages, and wasted resources.
If you’re searching for a trusted GP recruitment agency, here are five major red flags to watch out for before making your choice.
1. Lack of Primary Care Expertise 🚩
Not all agencies specialise in primary care recruitment. If a recruitment agency lacks deep knowledge of:
✔ Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs)
✔ Practice Nurses (PNs)
✔ Clinical Pharmacists
✔ General Practitioners (GPs)
✔ Paramedics & First Contact Practitioners (FCPs)
…they may struggle to find candidates who meet the specific demands of your practice. Choose an agency with a proven track record in primary care staffing.
2. Unclear Compliance & Vetting Processes 🚩
Every clinician placed in your practice must be fully vetted, compliant, and meet NHS and CQC standards. If an agency can’t clearly explain its compliance procedures, or fails to provide:
✔ DBS checks
✔ Professional registration verification
✔ Right-to-work documentation
…it puts your practice at risk. Ask for full details on their screening and compliance procedures before committing.
3. Poor Communication & Slow Response Times 🚩
Healthcare recruitment is time-sensitive, especially when urgent locum cover is required. If an agency is:
🚫 Unresponsive
🚫 Slow to act
🚫 Difficult to reach
…it can cause serious staffing issues. A reliable recruitment partner should be available, proactive, and provide regular updates on placements and candidate availability.
4. Hidden Fees or Unclear Pricing 🚩
Transparency is essential when selecting a medical recruitment agency. If an agency has:
🚩 Vague contract terms
🚩 Unclear pricing structures
🚩 Unexpected recruitment fees
…you could end up paying more than expected. Choose a firm that offers clear, upfront pricing with no hidden costs.
5. One-Size-Fits-All Approach 🚩
Every GP practice and PCN has unique staffing needs. If an agency takes a generic approach—sending candidates without first understanding your team dynamics, patient demographics, or workflow—it’s a major red flag.
A specialist primary care recruiter should tailor their approach to meet your exact needs, ensuring the right fit for your team.
Why Choose Vela? Your Trusted Primary Care Recruitment Partner
At Vela Medical Group, we specialise in primary care staffing solutions, connecting GP practices and PCNs with the best healthcare professionals. Here’s why healthcare providers trust us:
✔ Industry-leading expertise in primary care recruitment
✔ Strict compliance and vetting standards
✔ Fast, responsive candidate placements
✔ Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
✔ Tailored recruitment solutions for locum and permanent roles
Looking for a Trusted Recruitment Partner?
📩 Let’s talk about your staffing needs today.
