Rising to the Challenge: TaskMaster Public Sector's Vital Role in Supporting the Harrogate Nightingale Hospital

THE CHALLENGE

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, AGH Solutions Ltd, in collaboration with local NHS Trusts, faced the monumental task of converting the Harrogate Convention Centre into a fully operational Nightingale Hospital within just four weeks. Central government mandated the urgent preparation and staffing of the hospital to provide frontline care. TaskMaster Public Sector, as the primary supplier of NMNC (non-medical, non-clinical) workers to AGH and LTHT (Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust), was called upon to support this critical initiative.

Challenges:

  • Meeting stringent deadlines amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Managing mass recruitment at short notice for diverse roles

Results:

  • Successful, compliant recruitment for over 200 workers for the Nightingale Hospital
  • Swift mobilisation of additional temporary staff to support front-line services
  • Reliable and cost-effective partnership demonstrated during times of adversity

OUR APPROACH

TaskMaster's collaboration with AGH Solutions Ltd was marked by a proactive and hands-on approach. Our dedicated team worked closely with AGH Solutions Ltd from the project's inception to manage the recruitment element effectively. Our team played a pivotal role in identifying the required shift patterns for a 24/7 rota, determining the necessary staffing numbers for each shift pattern, and executing the recruitment process seamlessly. With non-negotiable deadlines looming, we swiftly identified, recruited, and ensured compliance for over 200 workers for the Nightingale Hospital, encompassing roles such as Domestics, Porters, Supervisors, Administrators, Trainers, and Project Managers.

The period during the establishment of the Nightingale Hospital presented immense challenges for the NHS. Not only was the NHS tasked with caring for COVID-19 patients, but it also needed to adequately staff its own services to provide front-line treatment. In this context, a strong, robust, and reliable recruitment partner was essential to ensure the swift mobilisation of large volumes of additional temporary staff. TaskMaster rose to the occasion, with members of our team working tirelessly alongside the AGH Solutions team, seven days a week, often exceeding 15 hours a day to ensure project objectives were met.

Rising to the Challenge: TaskMaster Public Sector's Vital Role in Supporting the Harrogate Nightingale Hospital

OUR RESULTS:

TaskMaster's partnership with AGH Solutions Ltd during the establishment of the Harrogate Nightingale Hospital yielded impactful results, underscoring our commitment to excellence and efficiency in staffing operations:

Swift Recruitment and Compliance: Despite the challenging timeframe, TaskMaster successfully identified, recruited, and ensured compliance for over 200 workers for the Nightingale Hospital. This rapid mobilisation of staff was crucial in meeting the urgent staffing needs of the field hospital and ensuring operational readiness.

Operational Continuity: TaskMaster's proactive approach and dedicated efforts, including seven-day work weeks and extended hours, played a pivotal role in maintaining operational continuity during a critical period. By swiftly addressing staffing requirements, TaskMaster enabled AGH Solutions Ltd to focus on delivering essential front-line services to COVID-19 patients.

Reliability and Adaptability: Throughout the project, TaskMaster demonstrated reliability, adaptability, and a willingness to go above and beyond to meet client needs. Taj's hands-on involvement and commitment to delivering on targets in line with deadlines ensured that AGH Solutions Ltd could rely on TaskMaster as a trusted recruitment partner during times of adversity.

WHAT THE CLIENT SAID

"I can wholeheartedly trust that TaskMaster will always provide high-level consultative recruitment guidance, deliver on targets in line with deadlines, and never compromise on quality. TaskMaster helped devise and execute a successful COVID-19 recruitment strategy for the Harrogate Nightingale Hospital, and it's a shame this hasn't received wider recognition as there were only 7 Nightingale Hospitals built in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic - so I am happy to champion the large part played by TaskMaster in the success of the Harrogate Nightingale project."

Kath Aspinall
Assistant Director of Facilities
AGH Solutions Limited